Yes indeed, there was no reason for Russia to invade Ukraine … yet Putin did it, three times now, and keeps demanding Ukraine gives up nukes, weaponry, and lately any form of standing army…
And everyone is convinced he’ll be back to destroy Ukraine within 5 years if hes not tapped on the nose firmly now.
And when he has Ukraine he’ll feel free to start kicking Europe in the soft spots.
This is the end of a once great america, no matter Trump’s promise…
All trust is gone for years, perhaps decades to come.
The petrol dollar that gave the US it’s hegemony by stepping away from gold reserves into the dollar as backing financial system will be dismantled.
It already was on shaky grounds with the US printing infinite money without guarantees to pay off a huge debt beyond the petro dollar’s shield, but now all trust in the US is gone and the shift to another monetary system will start.
BRICS will take off and Trump can not stop it (not even counting him being under russian influence to let it happen). Europe will pay oil in euros for a while.
In a decade we might see rise of a global traders currency based on a true, set value.
I fully agree. But to add to it:
Vance had no rights to be there, the only reason he was is so they both could gang up on Zelensky in front of the cameras and bully him, Trump probably felt he was unable to do it alone.
Sell yes, meaning Ukraine gets something in return…
But Trump goes “ok give us the minerals, bye”.
What kind of deal is that, Ukraine gets nothing, that’s not even a proper business transaction…
Thats plain saying give me your money or the guy with the gun takes it from you.
In a real deal the least Zelensky/Ukraine expects to get in return is full and lasting protection against Putin walzing in and taking Ukraine anyway.
In his WW3 rant Trump also seems to forget Zelensky/Ukraine is already at war (though putin is the one calling it a 3 day police action), and the only one gambling for WW3 is Trump by whining about demanding minerals for nothing in return.
Ofcourse it’s full on clear by now Trump expects Putin to walz in anyway, destroy Ukraine and pay Trump personally a 1% finders fee for the minerals.
The deal is not important, nor are the minerals, Zelensky was there for security guarantees and they should not be hidden, what kind of nonsense is that. Why shouldn’t anyone hear of security guarantees?
Trump should have shaken Zelensky’s hands, in public LOUDLY proclaiming full and lasting protection and NATO membership or NATO boots on the ground. Make explicitly sure everyone knows Trump and the US supports and backs an ally that is invaded by a centuries old enemy.
And THEN do a deal for minerals behind the curtains, THAT is the way to do it.