This is interesting for a couple of reasons.

First, it shows the lengths that the left will go to disrupt any progress made by Trump.

Secondly, it shows that they don’t care about peace in the region. Likely, because it’s bad for business.

I also think the left side of that party is largely sick and twisted. Quite literally. When people call good evil and evil good, abandon common sense, fund our enemies, and fund truly sick, twisted, and plain outright deceitful scams of all sorts, those aren't regular people.

On the ropes:

Zelensky Responds to Calls for Resignation, Says He’ll Resign for NATO Membership – Offers Lindsey Graham Ukrainian Citizenship to Stop Speaking Out Against Him

quote:

Originally posted by jljones:
This is interesting for a couple of reasons.

First, it shows the lengths that the left will go to disrupt any progress made by Trump.

Secondly, it shows that they don’t care about peace in the region. Likely, because it’s bad for business.

Yep. Zelensky first met with his business partners (the Democrats) on the way into the meeting with the President. Stunning.

Coalition of the willing? An easy out, just say thanks but no thanks.

I am not stunned in least bit. This is exactly what you would expect from these kinds of people. They only care about themselves. The killing of tens of thousands means nothing to them. Just part of the cost of doing business.

For zel. just part of his and his cronies grift.

Volodymyr Zelensky says he's 'ready to sign' minerals deal with the US and insists he 'just wanted Ukrainian position to be heard' during disastrous Oval Office meeting with Trump

By MIRIAM KUEPPER
PUBLISHED: 16:54 EST, 2 March 2025 | UPDATED: 20:41 EST, 2 March 2025

Volodymyr Zelensky has said that he is 'ready to sign' the minerals deal with America that was put on hold after his stormy meeting with Donald Trump.

Speaking to reporters at Stansted Airport before he left the UK, Zelensky said he 'just want[s] the Ukrainian position to be heard' when he was asked about the disastrous meeting with US President Donald Trump on Friday.

The Ukrainian leader was reportedly kicked out of the White House, while a planned minerals deal with the US in exchange for further military support was put on ice.

Hopes for unity between European nations and the US on Ukraine's future were shattered by the clash in the Oval Office, which saw the US president, his vice president JD Vance and Zelensky all spoke over one another in raised voices.

'You're gambling with millions of people … You're gambling with World War Three,' Trump said, urging Zelensky to make a deal or else the US 'are out'.

Vance accused the Ukrainian leader of being 'disrespectful', and he and the US president claimed Zelensky had not been thankful enough for US military aid.

Trump later told reporters the meeting with the Ukrainian president 'didn't work out exactly great', adding that his counterpart wanted to 'fight, fight, fight' while the US was 'looking to end this death'.

The minerals deal reportedly involves no security guarantees by the US to Ukraine, which has been a key demand by the war-torn country so far.

The deal, which would allow the US access to Ukraine's rare earth minerals, could be worth a trillion dollars, according to Trump.

A defiant Zelensky also insisted that he won't step down in the wake of the disastrous meeting with Trump, but claimed he is 'exchangeable' for Ukrainian membership of NATO.

Republicans like US senator Lindsay Graham had urged Zelensky to step down following the White House bust-up, but Zelensky hit back: 'I can give [Lindsay Graham] citizenship of Ukraine and he will become a citizen of our country.

'And then his voice will start to gain weight, and I will hear him as a citizen of Ukraine on the topic of who must be the president. The president of Ukraine will have to be chosen not in Lindsay Graham's home but in Ukraine,' he told Sky News.

When the Ukrainian president was asked if he could stand down in the event his country becomes a Nato member, he replied in Ukrainian via a translator: 'I am exchangeable for NATO.'

Zelensky added: 'I have said that I am exchanging for Nato membership, then it means I have fulfilled my mission. NATO means I have fulfilled my mission.'

Despite his extraordinary White House bust-up with US President Trump, Zelensky also said Ukraine was 'grateful to the people of the US'. 'We are grateful to all the societies in the countries that support us. We are very thankful,' he continued.

This comes after European leaders from 18 countries scrambled to forge a Ukraine strategy at a crisis summit yesterday following the disastrous meeting between Trump and Zelensky.

European powers must realise it is 'time to act' as they stand at a 'crossroads in history', Sir Keir Starmer said following the summit after telling leaders: 'This is a once-in-a-generation moment for the security of Europe and we all need to step up.'

After embracing Zelensky on the steps of Lancaster House in London, the PM told him 'we are all with you' and urged the gathering to step up to a 'once in a generation moment'.

Emmanuel Macron and Giorgia Meloni were present as Britain, France and Italy look set to take key roles in a 'coalition of the willing' to enforce any peace deal with Russia.

The leaders - also including Germany, Canada, Poland, Denmark and Sweden - are expected to signal a ramping up of defence spending.

Before arriving in London, French president Emmanuel Macron suggested in an interview with a French newspaper that he and Starmer are proposing a 'truce in the air, on the seas and energy infrastructures' that would last a month.

There would be no European troops in the coming weeks and troops would only be deployed on the ground at a later stage, he said.

The question, Macron said, is 'how we use this time to try and get an accessible truce, with negotiations that will take several weeks and then, once peace is signed, a deployment.'

Macron also suggested that European countries should increase their defence spending to about 3 to 3.5 per cent of their GDP. France's defence spending is at roughly 2.1 per cent, according to data from 2023.

Speaking to broadcasters outside Lancaster House, EU commission president Ursula von der Leyen said Ukraine must have the 'means to fortify and protect itself' in economic and military terms.

The EU commission president added that 'therefore the focus is not only on the military supply but also for example securing their energy system'. Von der Leyen also revealed she will present 'a comprehensive plan to rearm Europe' on Thursday.

She called for an increase in defence spending among European countries and said that Ukraine should be turned into a 'steel porcupine' that would be 'indigestible for potential invaders'.

Giorgia Meloni said that in a 'precious moment' it is 'very important to talk to each other, to co-ordinate'.

She said: 'We are all very committed about a goal that we all want to achieve, which is a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

'I think it is very, very important that we avoid the risk that the West divides. I think on this the UK and Italy can play an important role in bridge-building.'

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that a focus for allies will be to ensure that Ukraine has a strong army when the war there is over so that it can defend itself against any future aggression. 'The basis of everything will be a strong army,' he said.

The Chancellor added that a halt in fighting could be a starting point for potential peace talks for Ukraine.

'It would be very helpful if the bombing were to stop...That would also be the starting point for talks that can then continue,' Scholz told journalists after a meeting of European leaders in London.

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that no one in the West has any intention of capitulating to Putin's 'blackmail and aggression', adding that Europe had 'woken up'.

'The best way to discourage Putin and other aggressors is to build our own strength, and the best way to convince President Trump to want to strengthen cooperation with Europe, and not weaken it, is our European strength. Everyone will want to work with a strong partner,' Tusk told Polish reporters.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country had 'an important role to play' after attending the summit with other leaders.

'Canada has been one of the strongest countries in support of Ukraine from the very beginning, for over 10 years now we've been training Ukrainian defence forces,' Mr Trudeau said.

NATO chief Mark Rutte pointed to promises from more European countries to 'ramp up defence spending', while insisting that Washington remained committed to the transatlantic alliance. Rutte did not name which countries promised to ramp up their defence budgets.

The defence spending of European allies has long been talked about by Trump, who said many were missing their NATO spending target of two per cent of their GDP.

Last week, Starmer announced that the UK would increase its defence spending to 2.5 per cent of its GDP, slashing the aid budget, with plans to increase military spending to three per cent soon after.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is also expected to cut £5billion from welfare and allow the £28billion national wealth fund to be invested in defence projects.

Meanwhile, Zelensky last night said that the peace summit in London 'was dedicated to Ukraine and our shared European future'. 'We feel strong support for Ukraine, for our people – both soldiers and civilians, and our independence,' he said on X.

The Ukrainian President added: 'Together, we are working in Europe to establish a solid foundation for cooperation with the United States in pursuit of true peace and guaranteed security. Europe's unity is at an exceptionally high level, one that has not been seen in a long time.

'We are discussing with our partners security guarantees and the conditions for a just peace for Ukraine. A series of important meetings and decisions are being prepared for the near future.

'I am grateful to all our friends and partners for their efforts in bringing about a stable and guaranteed peace in Ukraine. Joint strength can protect our future.'

Meanwhile, Sir Keir unveiled a four-step plan discussed by leaders at the meeting, including a pledge to 'develop a coalition of the willing' to defend a deal in Ukraine and guarantee a peace settlement.

The Prime Minister announced a £1.6 billion finance deal which will allow Ukraine to buy more than 5,000 missiles, following the gathering at Lancaster House.

Sir Keir told the press conference that 'every nation must contribute' in the best way it can and a number of 'important steps' were agreed.

He said: 'First, we will keep the military aid flowing and keep increasing the economic pressure on Russia to strengthen Ukraine now.

'Second, we agreed that any lasting peace must ensure Ukraine's sovereignty and security, and Ukraine must be at the table.

'Third, in the event of a peace deal, we will keep boosting Ukraine's own defensive capabilities to deter any future invasion.

'Fourth, we will go further to develop a coalition of the willing to defend a deal in Ukraine and to guarantee the peace.

'Not every nation will feel able to contribute but that can't mean that we sit back. Instead, those willing will intensify planning now with real urgency. The UK is prepared to back this with boots on the ground and planes in the air, together with others. Europe must do the heavy lifting.'

Sir Keir also stressed that 'if you want to preserve the peace, you have to be prepared to defend the peace'. He added: 'I want to avoid conflict. I do not want conflict in Ukraine, in Europe and certainly not in the United Kingdom.

'I want stability in the United Kingdom. The way to ensure that stability is to ensure we are able to defend a deal in Ukraine. Because the one thing our history tells us is that if there is conflict in Europe it will wash up on our shores.'

Sir Keir suggested that 'a coalition of the willing' would have to guarantee any settlement on the ground, hinting that hopes of the US providing a security backstop were dwindling.

Zelensky also met with King Charles after the summit, with his helicopter touching down at Sandringham at around 5.25pm on Sunday.

Both were pictured smiling side-by-side as they shook hands. Charles was even seen patting Zelensky's arm as they posed for pictures outside the estate.

'The president was warmly received, and the meeting lasted just under an hour', the Palace said after the meeting.

A helicopter could be seen departing the Sandringham estate in Norfolk at 6.35pm, following the meeting between the King and Zelensky.

Sir Keir played down the prospect of Trump's state visit invite being withdrawn in the wake of his spat with Zelensky.

John Swinney, Scotland's First Minister, was among those urging for a withdrawal of the invitation. He said the offer should be rescinded unless Trump's administration gives 'full scale backing' to Ukraine, the Daily Mirror reports.

The PM stressed that the invitation was a 'matter for the King' but swiped at people 'trying to ramp up the rhetoric' over the White House chaos.

No10 sources were adamant that there is no chance of the visit being axed, despite a furious backlash at the 'humiliation' of the Ukraine president in the Oval Office.

During his trip to the White House last week, Sir Keir presented the US President leader with a letter from the King inviting him for an unprecedented second state visit.

President Trump was hosted by the late Queen in 2019. Other second-term US presidents such as George W Bush and Barack Obama are usually only invited for tea or lunch.

The US president is known to be an admirer of the Royal Family, and the state visit was seen as a major tool in Sir Keir's diplomatic armoury.

King Charles previously praised the 'determination and strength' of the Ukrainian people in a message marking the second anniversary of Russia's invasion in February 2024.

Charles III said he was 'greatly encouraged' by the efforts of the UK and its allies in supporting Ukraine 'at this time of such great suffering and need'.

He said: 'The determination and strength of the Ukrainian people continues to inspire, as the unprovoked attack on their land, their lives and livelihoods enters a third, tragic, year.

'Despite the tremendous hardship and pain inflicted upon them, Ukrainians continue to show the heroism with which the world associates them so closely.

'Theirs is true valour, in the face of indescribable aggression. I have felt this personally in the many meetings I have had with Ukrainians since the start of the war, from President Zelensky and Mrs Zelenska, to new army recruits training here in the United Kingdom.

'I continue to be greatly encouraged that the United Kingdom and our allies remain at the forefront of international efforts to support Ukraine at this time of such great suffering and need.

'My heart goes out to all those affected, as I remember them in my thoughts and prayers.'

Zelensky met Charles on his first visit to the UK after Russia invaded his country in 2023, calling the audience a 'truly special moment for me, for our country'. The two met again in July 2024 at Blenheim Palace.

Because European nations gave him money afterwards. Little bastard. I hope the Russians lynch him. Or the Ukrainians. Either would be fine, just as long as he swings.

quote:

Republicans like US senator Lindsay Graham had urged Zelensky to step down following the White House bust-up, but Zelensky hit back: 'I can give [Lindsay Graham] citizenship of Ukraine and he will become a citizen of our country.

'And then his voice will start to gain weight, and I will hear him as a citizen of Ukraine on the topic of who must be the president. The president of Ukraine will have to be chosen not in Lindsay Graham's home but in Ukraine,' he told Sky News.

Take him, duplicitous blow-hard; he's a liability to the party anyways.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
Because European nations gave him money afterwards. Little bastard. I hope the Russians lynch him. Or the Ukrainians. Either would be fine, just as long as he swings.

would be better if the Ukrainian people made him swing,

 https://www.youtube.com/live/e...?si=13BCee31oTnmAQ6H 

Who is Jeffrey Sachs ? It's a most interesting vid and adds clarity to this war and how we got there.