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All I can say is that Zelensky is a terrible negotiator. Recognize who you're dealing with, and adjust your stance accordingly. He should have negotiated a litt

All I can say is that Zelensky is a terrible negotiator. Recognize who you're dealing with, and adjust your stance accordingly. He should have negotiated a little bit but ultimately taken the minerals deal--give Trump the win with his base, and give Trump a reason for the US to join in the fight. Throw in something crazy, like a Trump golf course or a statue or something. He is a simple man to please! These are generational battles that will long outlive either of their egos: be humble and accept that in at least one regard, Trump is right: Ukraine doesn't have the cards.

jopsen 2y ago
> Ukraine doesn't have the cards. Oh, but they do. We (the west) can't allow them to be overrun. So if they refuse to accept a deal, what can we really do? Starving Ukraine for supplies would be extremely dangerous. (That said: I'm not sure Trump understands this)
- Invictus0 2y ago
  So you think that Ukraine being overrun is a negotiating card? For whom? Why does America care? It's really Europe's problem, and Europe is not united enough to mount the necessary response. The reality is that Europe has underfunded their defense to the tune of trillions of dollars since the fall of the Soviet Union, and if Ukraine really mattered to them then they would have started investing in their defense back in 2014 when Crimea was "overrun" (and there were basically no consequences whatsoever). The EU's GDP is 10x Russia's; if it's really so important that Ukraine wins, then let Europe fight!
  - n4r9 2y ago
    Russia conquering Ukraine will bolster the Russian economy and incentivises then (as well as China) to continue territorial expansions. Already the war has given rise to military and economic alliance between Russia, Iran, North Korea and potentially China. If things continue in this direction, it will absolutely become a big problem for the US. Better to stop the rot asap.

jopsen 2y ago

> Ukraine doesn't have the cards. Oh, but they do. We (the west) can't allow them to be overrun. So if they refuse to accept a deal, what can we really do? Starving Ukraine for supplies would be extremely dangerous. (That said: I'm not sure Trump understands this)

Invictus0 2y ago
So you think that Ukraine being overrun is a negotiating card? For whom? Why does America care? It's really Europe's problem, and Europe is not united enough to mount the necessary response. The reality is that Europe has underfunded their defense to the tune of trillions of dollars since the fall of the Soviet Union, and if Ukraine really mattered to them then they would have started investing in their defense back in 2014 when Crimea was "overrun" (and there were basically no consequences whatsoever). The EU's GDP is 10x Russia's; if it's really so important that Ukraine wins, then let Europe fight!
- n4r9 2y ago
  Russia conquering Ukraine will bolster the Russian economy and incentivises then (as well as China) to continue territorial expansions. Already the war has given rise to military and economic alliance between Russia, Iran, North Korea and potentially China. If things continue in this direction, it will absolutely become a big problem for the US. Better to stop the rot asap.