I am not sure why people are upset over the mineral deal. It seems most people in this thread indeed live in a fantasy world where Ukraine will somehow defeat Russia, force Putin to pay back reperations, give back Crimea and grovel to the world and disband Russia, handing complete control to NATO. Once the US has a minerals/RE deal, this forces Russia to stop attacking American interests. And the corrupt Ukrainian government can pay back its debt like its corrupt president has promised and Ukraine potentially keeps its land. Russia meanwile gets undisputed control of Crimea and the EU/NATO can go **** off. Now if we get another incompetent administration like the last one, that could potentially cause issues. Someone like Harris would be completely stupid and void the deal with Ukraine under pressure from from the morons in Europe. Thankfully the clown we call Zelensky will be gone and we can get a more reasonable Ukraine government.
No, north Vietnam had it already, just like North Korea did (and still does), the difference is that after the war, North Vietnam took over South Vietnam, which didn't happen in Korea.
I can't speak for everyone else, but this is my thought on it. Trump is transactional in everything he does and seeks to maximize his direct benefits in every deal he makes. What I think is a superior approach, one that the US has often employed in the last century and one that Europe is still sometimes interested in, is a de-Tocquevillian enlightened self-interest. If we can help Ukraine become a strong, prosperous and free nation, the benefits will redound back to us by having a robust trading partner and a close ally and friend. If instead, as Trump would want, we merely extract what wealth we can, we may enrich ourselves somewhat but there is no multiplier effect. We will not have a strong market into which we can sell our goods. And we will have no friends (in Ukraine or elsewhere, since everyone else can also see how we behave). Because we behave transactionally, others will deal transactionally with us. We will never be treated with honestly without our own constant surveillance; we will never be extended any forgiveness or grace; and we will only find any agreement when our counterparty stands to directly benefit; former allies may even scheme among themselves on how to take from us. The Ukrainian minerals deal is just one little transgression, though. The problem is that this is Trump's entire MO for dealmaking every time and every place. Trump, I feel certain, has never had a real friend his whole life. He doesn't see any benefit to mutual aid or the common good ever. And he wants to make our country a reflection of him, a nation of takers who trust no one because we ourselves are not trustworthy. This is another trick Trump often employs and I'm honestly surprised it still ever works. He demands direct benefits but promises counterparties indirect benefits in return. If, as reported, Zelensky agreed to a deal with Trump that didn't include a security guarantee as a direct benefit, he's a fool. Trump can make a deal with Putin later to avoid any risk to our mineral interests. As many a former contractor of Trump's can tell you, the contract had better be ironclad or you're going to get screwed. I have many possible retorts, but Vietnam is really off-topic. It came up because you objected to someone's observation that Ukraine can defeat Russian occupation with a sustained guerilla war like the Viet Minh had done to defeat the Americans. You seem to want to appeal to some legalism that we couldn't be defeated because we withdrew. Whatever. The point of the conversation was that a long insurgency can exhaust an occupier, which is what we did in fact see in our war in Vietnam. If you want to declare victory, fine, but the US' willingness to fight was sapped by a stubborn insurgency.
South Korea is a success. North Korea is a very poor, isolated state with its citizens suffering, and it poses a danger to global peace with its constant flaunting of nuclear power. What's your point? Are you trying to say a Putin-controlled Ukraine would somehow eventually be a "success" like Vietnam?
It sure sounds like you did based on all your rhetoric.... You repeat the Russian talking points.... you claim the US is the war monger...
Because they are a geopolitical rival. Why has Russia been trying to weaken the US and its European, Middle Eastern, and Central Asian neighbors? How do you think Russia got all that territory?
Rubio isn't Trump. He doesn't trust Putin, though he put up a face for Trump. Deploying U.S., U.N., European, or NATO troops to "safeguard access to minerals" could provide a sufficient indirect security guarantee. Though, repeating the "safeguard" oil model could be a significant long-term mistake for the U.S.
Because some folks actually believe Russia/Putin to be an adversary while Trump/Elon co do not. There is certainly a way to make a deal with Ukraine and getting access to their resources that works in their favor and gives them guarantees, but that was the route NOT taken. LOL. Again this is why your rhetoric suggest you think Ukraine deserves this. You parrot nothing but Putin's talking points. You are on the Putin side so this is why you think the Biden admin giving aid to Russia was incompetent and the GOP/Trump/Elon side giving Russia what it wants is the right move.
You're right, Rubio isn't Trump. He can't deploy US or any other troops to safeguard access to minerals without Trump's say-so. With Trump in charge, no one can count on American protection, period. When they call, Trump will see that as an opportunity for another round of negotiations in which he has great leverage. Look at NATO. We have a treaty ratified by Congress. The whole point of it is the assurance of mutual aid if a member is attacked. But no one is sure that Trump would honor it if Article 5 was invoked, even though treaties in the US have the force of law.
If Ukraine does not become a Russian vassal state, the US is in the money!!! That is if Ukraine honors their side of the deal which more likely than Trump honoring his side.
This is disgusting! The video Trump posted on Truth Social makes me sick to my stomach. Of course it's all about him and Musk reaping in millions in Gaza. Video and post on link below. https://www.npr.org/2025/02/26/nx-s1-5309695/trump-gaza-video It was never about anyone but him. This Presidency is his biggest grift. To hell with Democracy, human rights, or anyone trying to make ends meet. You dumbass MAGA voters fell for that old man's campaign BS. When will you ever realize you've been conned? It's cult mentality to keep defending that as*hole and his drug crazed sidekick on a power trip acting like he's the VP running our country.
They say the family is not a Russian asset. That Trump is not pro Russian. Here enters shitstain Jr. they openly saying this. Not behind closed doors doors. Out in the open. Of course Trump bootlickers will say nothing
Sure. Try Jeffrey Sachs for instance He is a fan of say Sweden do is not a MAGA. Unlike almost all the mainstream pundits he has had personal contact with many many of the important leaders in Ukraine Russia China etc in his work with the UN
