Update: 6/2/2025 I was wrong about one thing. Zelensky had more than one ace up his sleeve (1.Europe support; 2) Spider Web, which he played it just as the next round of talks with Russia began. How the Spider Web attack worked is an amazing display of Ukrainian ingenuity and tech skills. This BBC report is a jaw dropper. It took 18 months of planning. This was an ace Zelensky had up his sleeve that Trump et al had no idea of, and at their Oval Office ambush, claimed Zelensky had no card to play. Zelensky must have had a stifled laugh, but he kept his poker face. https://mufticforumblog.blogspot.com/2025/06/germanys-rearmament-is-spurred-on.html
As Trump and Putin come up again and again with a plan for a ceasefire..and then try to shove it down Ukraine's throat, Zelensky does not have to cave into doing something he thinks is not in Ukraine's interest. His ace is Europe, which has stepped up to the plate. Neither Putin nor Trump ever counted on that. Trump and Putin are on the phone again after the Turkey talks are a bust. Live updates: Ukraine’s allies call Russian demands unacceptable after first talks in years | CNN The president of Finland observed something similar, but he left outTrump's role making the same mistake.Putin told he's made 'biggest strategic mistake in military history' | World | News | Express.co.uk
Germany in particular has stepped up to the plate, shifting public policy toward gas making it more efficient and affordable, and committing 3 billion euros toward defense of Ukraine. Yes, that is a B for billion. Germany Recalibrates Climate Policy, Backs Gas Power Shift
May 20 update:The May 19 telephone call has been called a non-starter. It turned out to be a realization by Trump that Putin is truly only interested in peace after to takes over all of Ukraine. Trump then claimed he would not be part of the cease fire/peace negotiations and leave it up to Ukraine and Russia to get-together. This is a good development, and it has good bipartisan support. It also signals that there is still significant support for Ukraine. Graham's powerful argument to Trump: Your heritage would be if you were blamed for the loss of Ukraine as Russia marches into Kyiv.....That would eclipse Biden's loss of Afghanistan. As Trump's call with Putin on Monday caused Trump to just withdraw as a party to cease-fire negotiations, the question becomes, will US physical support continue for Ukraine? ThisGraham bill would turn the screws on Russia's economy with more sanctions. Support for it does not address the military aid and support issue, but it could portend the continuation of such support. In the meantime, ignored or not taken seriously in the press is the change in Europe, which indeed is realizing they have to step up to the plate, and they are...
The mood has shifted and become clearer with the election of the new German chancellor, who is committed to protecting Ukraine's independence from Russia because he believes it is key to the stability of all of Europe. They are rearming their country to make it the most significant military power in Europe as part of their goal, as well as going with the rest of the EU in financing military aid for Ukraine. Germany alone cannot save Ukraine, and US military support is still needed. Still, coupled with France, likewise committed, as are other NATO members, they are a factor Russia never counted on and give hope to Zelensky that they can still win. The longer the conflict is drawn out, the weaker Russia will become due to the damage of sanctions and running out of cannon fodder soldiers.Per Richard Haass, Atlantic Council... Putin will keep playing his game, sabotaging any peace/pause talks, so long as he thinks he is winning, and he still thinks he is. He will stop if he sees enough resistance to him emerge. Putin appears to have the support of those he rules, and his oil-based economy is coping with the low international oil prices, according to an analyst from the Wall Street Journal 5/18 morning on MSNBC. Ann Applebaum in the Atlantic reported on recent conversations with Ukrainians who believe they are ready and able to go on fighting for some time.
Putin will continue to play games, teasing ceasefires, especially so long as Trump appeases him and this thing drags out if Europe waffles. Putin also counts on Trumpism rightists to win elections in Europe.. The right-wingers are losing...in Germany last month and this week in Romania, and the stop Putin backbone is emerging as Europe has stopped waffling and is making real material commitments to Ukraine's defense. France had already committed; Germany did this month. Trump is still playing footsy, and Putin is counting on him to continue. Putin needs to be convinced he cannot win Ukraine, and he is pinning his hopes on Trump and Europe's weak resolve. Europe is awakening; the question is, can it get its act together in time if Trump flakes out?
https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/18/europe/romania-presidential-election-result-intl-latam
Trump says he will speak with Putin, Zelenskiy on Monday | Reuters Phone call scheduled for 5/19
From an updated prior post: MUFTIC FORUM BLOG: Trump's epic miscalculation on Ukraine: European resolve updated through May/14/2025
Both Putin and Trump miscalculated on Ukraine. Putin did not count on Germany's rearmament as a result of his Ukraine invasion.. This is a nightmare for Russian plans to reassemble the old sphere of Russian influence of the old USSR. Trump thought he could force Ukraine to take the Russian surrender deal, but he, too, did not count on Zelensky having a third party like Germany to provide a counter force to Russian aggression of any heft. The reality is that Trump's influence over western European interests has taken a blow, making America weaker again and causing him to waffle again towards supporting Ukraine...at least for the moment. Note: 6/6/2025: President of Finland made a similar remark, going into greater detail with Putin's strategic blunders on Ukraine, though he left out any reference to Trump who also made the same mistake. Putin told he's made 'biggest strategic mistake in military history' | World | News | Express.co.uk
Germany Deploys Troops on Russia's Doorstep for First Time Since World War II Update 4/1/2025
MUFTIC FORUM BLOG: How energy independence is key to Europe's surviving Russian land grabs
Update: 5/14/2025 Germany: Merz vows to build Europe's strongest army
From: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/germany-merz-vows-to-build-europe-s-strongest-army/ar-AA1ELzoL?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=39a892b
Merz wants Germany to have 'strongest conventional army in Europe' Merz has been emphatic in framing Russia's war in Ukraine as a direct threat to European peace.
"This terrible war and its outcome will not only determine the fate of Ukraine. Its outcome will determine whether law and justice continue to apply in Europe and the world -- or whether tyranny, military violence, and the naked law of the strongest will prevail."
"What is at stake in Ukraine is nothing less than the peace order of our entire continent."
Germany, he said, would reassert its leadership role in Europe, rebuild trust with partners, and back Ukraine unambiguously.
"We are not a party to the war, and we do not intend to become one. But we are also not disinterested third parties or neutral mediators between the fronts. There must be no doubt where we stand: unambiguously on the side of Ukrainians."
Promising the Bundeswehr would become "the strongest conventional army in Europe," Merz pledged sustained investment and a new voluntary national service.
"This is appropriate for the most populous and economically strongest country in Europe. That is what our friends and partners expect of us -- indeed, they are explicitly demanding it."
Chancellor pays tribute to predecessor Scholz Merz has paid tribute to his predecessor Olaf Scholz for his response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Scholz has been praised for announcing a shift in Germany's approach to its military, boosting defense spending and ending reliance on Russian energy. He later became a key supporter of Ukraine through arms, aid, and EU unity.
Merz addressed Scholz personally: "Your response to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine was pioneering -- and historic. For that, you have the thanks and recognition of this House and our entire cou
