Fascinating discussion. Personally, I don't trust Trump and those in his circle to care at all about the fate of Ukraine. But, I'm really curious about what specific arguments Steven has used to sway the minds of Trump supporters. What resonates with them?
Finally, reading that Europe sent $46,596,508 to Russia for fossil fuels in one day (did I read that right?) was really disheartening.
Steven can speak to this himself, but I know he's made a very compelling case to evangelical Christians that Russia prosecutes Baptists in occupied territories.
"DEBATE: Is Trump a viable mediator for peace?" No!! A demented malignant narcissist adjudicated sexual predator & convicted felon should not be allowed to mediate a marbles match, let alone a war. Liked, restacked & shared to Bluesky (as always).
I’m glad the two of you can have a reasonably rational debate over such an important issue, which is something that isn’t the case for many in the U.S. However, it boggles my mind that Republicans still try to convince themselves that Trump actually cares about what they think, much less the views of Americans as a whole. He’s elected and serving his second term. He doesn’t need to win another election.
trump could negotiate a piece deal for carving up Ukraine, that's about it. His malignant narcissism expresses itself as a constant need for greater and greater tributes paid to him, such as the FIFA "peace prize" of dismembered forearms
I do not believe that our golden leader is or can be a good mediator. He has shown a clear preference for his mentor Putin. I am not sure how our golden leader could even be a part of honest successful negotiations because he does not keep his word on agreements or treaties. If I recall US aid to Ukraine has reached almost zero. I would suggest that Ukraine keeps talking to him, to avoid outright assistance to Putin, but place all hope for a deal elsewhere.
Not an expert, but I would hope one of the European leaders Mr. Mak mentioned would step up. Other possibilities could come from non-involved countries. Japan, Australia, and the UN come to mind. Of course, any agreement would have to be announced as a golden leader deal to feed the ego, but the actual work will have to be done by someone else.
While I don’t think Ukrainian leadership should tell this administration to piss off; I also don’t think they should expect any of them to be in their side. The majority of the American people want support for Ukraine; this administration is on Russia’s side and cares only about how much money they can get their hands on. They are as corrupt, inhumane, and as power hungry as Putin is and therefore find joining him is more profitable than fighting him; some are ideologues in support of white Christian nationalism and Putin is their natural ally. Either way, they don’t support Ukraine or even democracy, don’t burn bridges but beware.
Steven, thank you for your advocacy for Ukraine and this excellent conversation with Tim.
I agree with you and Pres. Zelensky that now is not the time to give up. I also agree with Tim that any "deal" brokered by trump's surrogates will likely end in a sell-out of Ukraine. Both things are true.
Trump is already a lame duck. He, Witkoff, and Kushner know they are making promises they do not have to keep. If there is some kind of agreement, Putin may stick to it for as long as it takes him to rebuild his military for a new offensive, probably until trump leaves office in Jan. 2029. In the meantime, trump et al. will be locking in all the redevelopment money they can--which for them is the objective. If Vance, Rubio, or really any Republican manages to succeed trump--or if Putin breaks the agreement (if there is one) before trump exits--any U.S. security guarantees will be withdrawn. Zelensky's wise demand for congressional approval anticipates this outcome.
IMHO, Ukraine's best hope lies with Europe. Europe must find the will to become the global democratic powerhouse it has the capacity to be. Slava Ukraini!
Read Phillips OBrien's latest substack. He writes about the elephant in the room. Trump knows Putin wants all of Ukraine. And that Putin won't be happy with just the Donetsk. Trump has been negotiating in bad faith, and his actions, have always (and I do mean always) pointed to this. For Trump, helping Ukraine has always been a con job. It's theater. He has no interest in doing anything except helping Putin split the profits.
Fascinating discussion. Personally, I don't trust Trump and those in his circle to care at all about the fate of Ukraine. But, I'm really curious about what specific arguments Steven has used to sway the minds of Trump supporters. What resonates with them?
Finally, reading that Europe sent $46,596,508 to Russia for fossil fuels in one day (did I read that right?) was really disheartening.
Steven can speak to this himself, but I know he's made a very compelling case to evangelical Christians that Russia prosecutes Baptists in occupied territories.
Unfortunately, many people only to seem to care when it affects them or one of their own. But if it is convincing people to care, then so be it.
"DEBATE: Is Trump a viable mediator for peace?" No!! A demented malignant narcissist adjudicated sexual predator & convicted felon should not be allowed to mediate a marbles match, let alone a war. Liked, restacked & shared to Bluesky (as always).
And he is weak.
I’m glad the two of you can have a reasonably rational debate over such an important issue, which is something that isn’t the case for many in the U.S. However, it boggles my mind that Republicans still try to convince themselves that Trump actually cares about what they think, much less the views of Americans as a whole. He’s elected and serving his second term. He doesn’t need to win another election.
He. Doesn’t. Care.
Why do you think many Republicans are convinced that he does care about their opinion?
Whenever I read that any European country is still trading with Russia and sending Russia any money it makes my blood boil.
trump could negotiate a piece deal for carving up Ukraine, that's about it. His malignant narcissism expresses itself as a constant need for greater and greater tributes paid to him, such as the FIFA "peace prize" of dismembered forearms
I do not believe that our golden leader is or can be a good mediator. He has shown a clear preference for his mentor Putin. I am not sure how our golden leader could even be a part of honest successful negotiations because he does not keep his word on agreements or treaties. If I recall US aid to Ukraine has reached almost zero. I would suggest that Ukraine keeps talking to him, to avoid outright assistance to Putin, but place all hope for a deal elsewhere.
Where else do you think the peace deal could come from?
Not an expert, but I would hope one of the European leaders Mr. Mak mentioned would step up. Other possibilities could come from non-involved countries. Japan, Australia, and the UN come to mind. Of course, any agreement would have to be announced as a golden leader deal to feed the ego, but the actual work will have to be done by someone else.
While I don’t think Ukrainian leadership should tell this administration to piss off; I also don’t think they should expect any of them to be in their side. The majority of the American people want support for Ukraine; this administration is on Russia’s side and cares only about how much money they can get their hands on. They are as corrupt, inhumane, and as power hungry as Putin is and therefore find joining him is more profitable than fighting him; some are ideologues in support of white Christian nationalism and Putin is their natural ally. Either way, they don’t support Ukraine or even democracy, don’t burn bridges but beware.
Steven, thank you for your advocacy for Ukraine and this excellent conversation with Tim.
I agree with you and Pres. Zelensky that now is not the time to give up. I also agree with Tim that any "deal" brokered by trump's surrogates will likely end in a sell-out of Ukraine. Both things are true.
Trump is already a lame duck. He, Witkoff, and Kushner know they are making promises they do not have to keep. If there is some kind of agreement, Putin may stick to it for as long as it takes him to rebuild his military for a new offensive, probably until trump leaves office in Jan. 2029. In the meantime, trump et al. will be locking in all the redevelopment money they can--which for them is the objective. If Vance, Rubio, or really any Republican manages to succeed trump--or if Putin breaks the agreement (if there is one) before trump exits--any U.S. security guarantees will be withdrawn. Zelensky's wise demand for congressional approval anticipates this outcome.
IMHO, Ukraine's best hope lies with Europe. Europe must find the will to become the global democratic powerhouse it has the capacity to be. Slava Ukraini!
Read Phillips OBrien's latest substack. He writes about the elephant in the room. Trump knows Putin wants all of Ukraine. And that Putin won't be happy with just the Donetsk. Trump has been negotiating in bad faith, and his actions, have always (and I do mean always) pointed to this. For Trump, helping Ukraine has always been a con job. It's theater. He has no interest in doing anything except helping Putin split the profits.
What a stupid headline