Ukraine invasion

[IlIlIlIlI]

IlIlIllI, why do you post so many stories?

Nothing wrong with informing people, but it feels quite spammy. There is no discussion, just each of your posts contains 5-15 links to various news stories that aren't really novel.

A serious answer cannot be given in a forum post, it would fill a book. Or two. Or more.

But I want to give you just one small aspect:
Even if I cannot understand the origin of the Third Reich until today, I can see it similar movements all around me how the warmongerers in Europe try to prepare and manipulate the people for WWIII. I discovered parallels in the recent months to the history times.
I can watch how it happens now and can imagine how it happened more than 80 years ago, even if I still can't understand that it looks like the majority of people like to be manipulated.
Instead of taking responsibility for what they are doing, not doing or tolerating without contradiction.
To talk to people makes always more sense than to talk about them like most mainstream media are publishing.
To read other aspects than mainstream media might prevent someone from being lost.
The good news is that everybody is always responsible for his mindset, for what he is doing, not doing or tolerating. Without any excuse.

Pepe Escobar: China Steps Up Its Game in the Global AI Race

Late next month, Huawei will be testing its new powerful AI processor, the Ascend 910 D, even as by early May the previous 910C will start to be mass-delivered to scores of Chinese tech companies.

sputnikglobe.com

EU Admits It’s Stuck Under US Tech Giants’ Thumb

The European Union has admitted that it cannot break free from the dominance of US tech companies, Politico reported on Wednesday, citing the draft of the International Digital Strategy for Europe set to be released in June.

sputnikglobe.com

Ukrainian Special Agents Injured as They Make Bomb to Assassinate Russian Military Man
See more at https://english.pravda.ru/news/hotspots/162202-ukrainian-special-agents-bomb/

Russia Carves Out Strategic Buffer Zone in Sumy Region

The Sumy region is coming under Russia’s northern offensive, with Ukrainian forces increasingly unable to stem the advance of Russian...

southfront.press

Russian Soldier: North Korean Fighters Wanted to be Visually Impressive in Their Offensive Tactic
See more at https://english.pravda.ru/news/hotspots/162199-russia-north-korean-fighters/

Trump adviser explains why US must cut military aid to Europe​

Russia distrusts Ukraine’s ceasefire proposals — Lavrov​

Zelensky openly threatening Victory Day terrorist attack – Moscow​

Kremlin Responds After Zelensky Raises Specter of May 9 Attack
See more at https://english.pravda.ru/news/world/162196-victory_day_parade_zelensky/

Military Situation In Ukraine On April 30, 2025 (Map Update)

Kharkiv came under massive drone strikes; Dnipro came under massive drone strikes; Russian strikes destroyed targets in the Zaporozhie region;...

southfront.press

 

[Phylo]

A non-partisan research post - London
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Chilling reason why Russia removed brain and throat of Ukrainian journalist in sickening torture rituals after she was captured while reporting on Putin's bloody war​

Chilling reason Russia removed brain and throat of Ukraine journalist

Prisoner of war Viktoria Roshchyna, 27, was held in occupied Ukraine and tortured by Vladimir Putin's brutal regime.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Atilla]

Fair enough Atilla, I hope you understand where I was coming from

I do indeed. You can read what you want or skim the headlines. Provides a good summary and feel for a better view of what's really going on.

I find the BBC incredibly biased. The language used in presenting the news is so over-loaded. The fact that they don't show the Russian flag is another absurd response. I sometimes think the UK is the 51st US state.

I do hope you put forward your point of view or links as well. 👍 🙂 👍

 

[Phylo]

A non-partisan research post - London
----------------------------------------------------

Daily Mail

 

[IlIlIlIlI]

Russia is a nation of winners – Putin​

Ukraine and US sign much-awaited minerals deal: Live updates​

Ukraine's New Deal with US Could Include Military Aid as Part of Rare Earths Agreement

The draft rare earths agreement between the United States and Ukraine includes the possibility of receiving "military aid," Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal said on Wednesday.

sputnikglobe.com

Aggressive NATO and EU Rhetoric Hinders Efforts to Reduce Strategic Risks Between Russia and US

Militarization of Europe and aggressive rhetoric on the part of NATO and the EU hinder the success of Russia and the United States' efforts to reduce strategic risks, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu said on Wednesday.

sputnikglobe.com

 

[IlIlIlIlI]

Russia's FSB Just Released Previously Classified Files On Hitler's Suicide

The documents reveal the never-before-seen testimony of Heinz Linge, Hitler's valet, who was present in the Fuhrerbunker in April 1945 when the Nazi leader took his own life.

sputnikglobe.com

Karin Kneissl: Massive blackouts are what green agenda gets you​

Over 20% of EU Residents Facing Poverty – Guess Who’s Doing Just Fine?

More than 20% of EU residents face risk of poverty, European Statistical Office (Eurostat) data showed.

sputnikglobe.com

Thousands march against pro-EU government in Moldova (VIDEO)​

Putin discusses French squadron fighting for Russia, WWII victory and ties with EU (KEY QUOTES)​

Putin's New Truce Initiative Once Again Calls Out Ukraine's Hypocrisy

President Vladimir Putin's Victory Day ceasefire is a signal of his desire to negotiate, Michael Maloof, former senior Pentagon analyst, told Sputnik.

sputnikglobe.com

US Cuts Military Aid From Rare Minerals Deal With Ukraine – No Guarantees, No Strings Attached

The United States has excluded provisions on security guarantees, such as continuation of providing military aid to Ukraine, from the text of the rare minerals deal, The New York Times reported on Thursday, citing an unnamed former US official familiar with the matter.

sputnikglobe.com

US-Ukraine Minerals Deal: 'Trojan Horse' for Creating a Frozen Conflict?

The US and Ukraine signed a minerals deal Wednesday which President Trump promised would "protect" the $350 billion he said Washington had sunk into propping up Kiev to date in the proxy war against Russia. Sputnik asked a veteran journalist specializing in conflict studies about the agreement's...

sputnikglobe.com

US rejected Ukraine’s security guarantee demands – NYT​

Ukraine Peace Process Moving Forward, Deal ‘Closer’ – US National Security Advisor

While the Ukraine peace process is moving forward and a deal is becoming "closer and closer," it is essential for both sides to want peace and to come to the table to finalize it, US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said on Thursday.

sputnikglobe.com

Kyiv’s Bloody Terror: Ukrainian Regime Escalates War Crimes Against Civilians (18+)

The terrorist Kyiv regime, unable to achieve meaningful victories on the battlefield, continues its cowardly war against innocent civilians, committing...

southfront.press

Moscow rules out Ukrainian return to 1991 borders​

US National Security Shake-Up: Waltz and Wong to Leave Posts After Signal Chat Scandal

US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and his deputy Alex Wong are expected to leave their posts in the wake of the Signal chat scandal, CBS reported on Thursday, citing sources.

sputnikglobe.com

Ban of RT journalist proves Romanian election a ‘meme’ – Moscow​

Military Situation In Ukraine On May 1, 2025 (Maps Update)

Russian forces advanced on the eastern outskirts of Shevchenko;Russian forces approached the southern outskirts of Malinovka;Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups were spotted in the southern part of Pokrovsk;

southfront.press

 

[Atilla]

Putin discusses French squadron fighting for Russia, WWII victory and ties with EU (KEY QUOTES)​

Agree with this strongly, I've always said the greater EU and UK national interest lies with closer ties and economic trade with Russia.

I'm always stunned and shocked by how badly EU and UK have come out of this war with Ukraine, higher gas prices, crazy level of inflation and higher costs of switching to green energy (not that I'm against green energy).

It is absolutely crazy stupid of the West blowing up the Nord Pipeline and then importing more expensive LNG from the US. I mean for the US to say we don't want Germany / EU to be dependent on cheap Russian gas and instead make us dependent on expensive US LNG gas to be imported via ships???
Back that up with raining free money in billions and the sale of old war machinary to Ukraine, prolonging death and destruction.

EU and UK national interests lie in peace and trade in Europe with Russia being a key energy conduit and partner imho.

 

[timsk]

. . . EU and UK national interests lie in peace and trade in Europe with Russia being a key energy conduit and partner imho.

Hi At',
Although you and I don't see eye to eye when it comes to the EU, nonetheless, I completely agree with everything you say in this post.

The problem that the U.K. and Europe now has is that the war is well and truly lost, rendering NATO completely redundant. Doubtless, it'll go to its grave kicking and screaming which may take some time, but its days are surely numbered. That's a good thing, IMO. The problem for the EU is that the ties between it and NATO are so deep, so broad, so extensive and so entrenched, that the EU could also be faced with an existential crisis of its own unless it radically changes course regarding Ukraine and Russia. Some pundits argue that the reason the U.K. wants the war to continue is so that it can ingratiate itself back into the EU, and the EU wants it to continue so that it can stave off an existential crisis that could well follow as soon as a peace deal is struck. Needless to say, Trump doesn't care two hoots about any of these actors. He just wants to put an end to "Biden's war" so he can claim the moral high ground in a bid to stop the opinion polls from tanking any further. He's turning out to be a real disappointment: fool me for thinking and hoping that he might be a force for good. That's fading fast.
Tim.

 

[Sakorner_FRX]

View attachment 314068it'll be russian soon

View attachment 314068

crimea will be part of russia

 

[RolloTape2025]

Agree with this strongly, I've always said the greater EU and UK national interest lies with closer ties and economic trade with Russia.

I'm always stunned and shocked by how badly EU and UK have come out of this war with Ukraine, higher gas prices, crazy level of inflation and higher costs of switching to green energy (not that I'm against green energy).

It is absolutely crazy stupid of the West blowing up the Nord Pipeline and then importing more expensive LNG from the US. I mean for the US to say we don't want Germany / EU to be dependent on cheap Russian gas and instead make us dependent on expensive US LNG gas to be imported via ships???
Back that up with raining free money in billions and the sale of old war machinary to Ukraine, prolonging death and destruction.

EU and UK national interests lie in peace and trade in Europe with Russia being a key energy conduit and partner imho.

It isn't crazy for the US though is it? It benefits them and hurts the Russian 'enemy'

One of the things I have never really understood, is just how toothless a lot of what occurs is. Russia has faced economic sanctions many times and over many years. It sounds like a serious manoeuvre to get Russia to 'behave'. But during those sanctions, you can still read that energy is being purchased from Russia, oil, gas, this is exempt, that is exempt...because oh we might need those. Reminds me a bit of Trump's tariff madness, yeah we will tariff China huge %, but wait, maybe not the iphones... and let's not add tariffs to things like financial services because we need those to keep going and so on.

Russia has some valid security concerns over Ukraine, but ultimately they began a war to take land, and that is a pretty horrible thing to do with all the death and destruction that has resulted. So you mention having good relations with Russia, obviously peace is welcome, but you might have to consider who you get into bed with. What if Russia one day decided actually Finland needs to be invaded. Sadly at the same time we have USA making disturbing comments about Greenland.

 

[Atilla]

It isn't crazy for the US though is it? It benefits them and hurts the Russian 'enemy'

One of the things I have never really understood, is just how toothless a lot of what occurs is. Russia has faced economic sanctions many times and over many years. It sounds like a serious manoeuvre to get Russia to 'behave'. But during those sanctions, you can still read that energy is being purchased from Russia, oil, gas, this is exempt, that is exempt...because oh we might need those. Reminds me a bit of Trump's tariff madness, yeah we will tariff China huge %, but wait, maybe not the iphones... and let's not add tariffs to things like financial services because we need those to keep going and so on.

Russia has some valid security concerns over Ukraine, but ultimately they began a war to take land, and that is a pretty horrible thing to do with all the death and destruction that has resulted. So you mention having good relations with Russia, obviously peace is welcome, but you might have to consider who you get into bed with. What if Russia one day decided actually Finland needs to be invaded. Sadly at the same time we have USA making disturbing comments about Greenland.

It is more about Russia stopping US aggressions in the ME and Latin America. Always have been. However, US now waking up to the fact that it has pushed Russia and China together and China has become enemy no 1. Sees Russia as a less of a threat. Having said that Russia has never been a threat to the US. Simply that the US war machine needs enemies like the Commies, Geurillas or Terrorist to justify it's expenditure and it's expansion in the national interest taking over other countries after embedding separatism and division in less mature democracy. The old devide and rule recipee.

Trump and Musk have applied business rules to the business of running a government. Obviously without due consultation or the political process like engaging the Senate on discussions to get national and party support on whether tariffs are good or bad and what the impact might be.

However, Trump and Mush whose egos are bigger than their wealth think they know it all. Running government departments are not for profit and can't be managed for profit like running a business. They are real tyrants and America and her allies should be scared because as you probably all know, they are evening disobeying high court judicial orders based on the Presidential Executive orders by-passing all checks and controls and balances.

As for your second paragraph, disagree strongly and you need to listen to Putin's reasons and objectives. You can't invade a country like Ukraine with only 200,000 troops. Primary objective was to stop Ukraine becoming a member of NATO and secondly to stop the persectuion of pro-Russian population in Ukraine from the Azov nazi battalion, who had been persecuting it since 2014 onwards.

All that Putin is bad invading Ukraine is all nonsense. Crimea always belonged to Russia and the borders of Ukraine have never been ratified. 35% of Ukraine people are Russian and they speak Russian too. The two countries have long history together. Also, look up the Charge of the Light Brigade in 1854 and tell me who the British were fighting against. Who was defending Crimea. Finally, Russia's main fleet is based in Sevastopol. Always have been since 1783.

Sadly our MSM perpetrate lies and deceitful history telling to massage the mass public into wars they have no idea about.

As before in the Istanbul peace talks Russia agreed to Ukraine being neutral like Switzerland and joining the EU. I have no idea how Zelensky could turn down neutrality and EU membership in preference of joining NATO and signing up to war. Russia said many times Ukraine joining NATO is a red line ultimately will lead to WW3 (remember Cuban misile crises, much the same story in reverse). Zelensky the clown, chose war encouraged by US and UK.

And now we realise the US wasn't really helping Ukraine with billions of $ollars and weapons but selling them and it was just business as usual. Now they have to pay up with the minerals. EU have also been rolled over by the yanks and here we are. Sadly so.

 

[IlIlIlIlI]

but ultimately they began a war to take land

"In early 2014, the Euromaidan protests led to the Revolution of Dignity and the ousting of Ukraine's pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych. Shortly after, pro-Russian protests began in parts of southeastern Ukraine, while unmarked Russian troops occupied Crimea."
see more at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russo-Ukrainian_War
(article does not cover the full history and it is partially softened for Western narratives)

Odessa Massacre: Point of No Return That Marked Ukraine's Slide Into Nazism

The mass murder of innocent people in Odessa's Trade Union house on May 2, 2014, marked a "point of no return" for Ukraine, Ukrainian politics expert Alexander Dudchak told Sputnik.

sputnikglobe.com

US-Ukraine minerals deal ‘hides secret agreements’ – Ukrainian MP​

Ukraine, West Understand Very Well That Crimea is Russian - Moscow

Crimea is Russia's sovereign territory, the West and Ukraine understand this perfectly well, and the sooner they recognize this fact, the better it will be for them, Russian Foreign Ministry envoy in Simferopol, Artem Berezovsky, told Sputnik.

sputnikglobe.com

US Vice President Vance Sets 100-Day Goal for Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks

US Vice President JD Vance said that Washington will continue efforts to secure a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine over the next 100 days.

sputnikglobe.com

Ukraine Conflict 'Not Going to End Any Time Soon' - Vance

US Vice President JD Vance said Russia and Ukraine know each other's terms for peace, and it is up to Moscow and Kiev to reach a deal.

sputnikglobe.com

US demands direct Russia-Ukraine talks​

‘Russophobia’ behind Romania’s expulsion of RT reporter – Tara Reade (VIDEO)​

European security is impossible without this key element​

Brussels floats solution to Trump – FT​

EU to tap frozen Russian funds – Reuters​

AfD is ‘extremist’ – German intel agency​

So 20.8% (last elections) to 26% (current polls) of the Germans are potentially extremists?

German Counterintelligence Recognizes AfD as Extremist - Statement

The German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the country's counterintelligence service, on Friday granted the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party with the status of an extremist movement.

sputnikglobe.com

Russian Forces Repel Most Massive Group Attack on Sevastopol in 2025

The Russian air defense forces and the navy repelled over the night the most massive group attack on Sevastopol in this year, Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said on Friday.

sputnikglobe.com

 

[RolloTape2025]

It is more about Russia stopping US aggressions in the ME and Latin America. Always have been. However, US now waking up to the fact that it has pushed Russia and China together and China has become enemy no 1. Sees Russia as a less of a threat. Having said that Russia has never been a threat to the US. Simply that the US war machine needs enemies like the Commies, Geurillas or Terrorist to justify it's expenditure and it's expansion in the national interest taking over other countries after embedding separatism and division in less mature democracy. The old devide and rule recipee.

Trump and Musk have applied business rules to the business of running a government. Obviously without due consultation or the political process like engaging the Senate on discussions to get national and party support on whether tariffs are good or bad and what the impact might be.

However, Trump and Mush whose egos are bigger than their wealth think they know it all. Running government departments are not for profit and can't be managed for profit like running a business. They are real tyrants and America and her allies should be scared because as you probably all know, they are evening disobeying high court judicial orders based on the Presidential Executive orders by-passing all checks and controls and balances.

As for your second paragraph, disagree strongly and you need to listen to Putin's reasons and objectives. You can't invade a country like Ukraine with only 200,000 troops. Primary objective was to stop Ukraine becoming a member of NATO and secondly to stop the persectuion of pro-Russian population in Ukraine from the Azov nazi battalion, who had been persecuting it since 2014 onwards.

All that Putin is bad invading Ukraine is all nonsense. Crimea always belonged to Russia and the borders of Ukraine have never been ratified. 35% of Ukraine people are Russian and they speak Russian too. The two countries have long history together. Also, look up the Charge of the Light Brigade in 1854 and tell me who the British were fighting against. Who was defending Crimea. Finally, Russia's main fleet is based in Sevastopol. Always have been since 1783.

Sadly our MSM perpetrate lies and deceitful history telling to massage the mass public into wars they have no idea about.

As before in the Istanbul peace talks Russia agreed to Ukraine being neutral like Switzerland and joining the EU. I have no idea how Zelensky could turn down neutrality and EU membership in preference of joining NATO and signing up to war. Russia said many times Ukraine joining NATO is a red line ultimately will lead to WW3 (remember Cuban misile crises, much the same story in reverse). Zelensky the clown, chose war encouraged by US and UK.

And now we realise the US wasn't really helping Ukraine with billions of $ollars and weapons but selling them and it was just business as usual. Now they have to pay up with the minerals. EU have also been rolled over by the yanks and here we are. Sadly so.

I don't disagree with all of that. But there are some things I would challenge.

"Crimea always belonged to Russia". Nothing always belonged to ... {insert a country or people here}. People have fought over land and resources and defined borders for many thousands of years, long before Russia existed in its current form. That type of thinking leads to all kinds of problems all over the world, usually death and destruction and groups of people convinced they have the right to commit war atrocities because it is 'their land'. Please stop thinking like that. It obviously cannot be right.

There was a point in time very recently where Crimea was not a part of Russia and it was taken back/annexed in 2014. It was given up by the Soviet Union decades before in the 1950s, right? You can debate why the Soviet union did that, but you don't get to claim it is Russia's land anyway. After world war II and the allies have West Germany under control, let's give it back to German control...but you know what, we did control it once, and we did give it back, so maybe we still own it and can annex it again? UK controlled Hong Kong, but it was given to China. Should we think it is ok to go to war to take HK back? Is this how you think?

I did say Russia has some valid security concerns, NATO membership of Ukraine on their borders for example. That is a justification, but does not change that someone strikes first and someone is the aggressor/invader. A person could be in a position where they are worried for their personal safety, perhaps they need to hit someone in self-defence. However, in the analogy Russia is by far the stronger person in this fight, and Ukraine isn't really advancing to take Russian lands, they are mostly defending. So it doesn't feel like Russia is just in a state of self-defence. I think if you got into a situation on the street, and decided you had to hit a much smaller weaker person, and they just tried to protect their body and you carried on attacking again and again, it wouldn't be considered self-defence. And certainly not if you carried on beating them for several years.

"Russia said many times Ukraine joining NATO is a red line ultimately will lead to WW3". Yes this is a threat of violence. Russia has no real right to tell other countries they need to be neutral like Switzerland. Of course strategically they may not like Ukraine joining NATO, but they are not in charge of what other countries determine for themselves. Only a bully would do that. They can attack and create wars in their own interest, which is what they have done, but I don't think it is right to say "Russia warned they didn't want x, y or z to happen, so now it is your fault". We don't all bow down to mother Russia's desires. At least not yet.

And I also mentioned before about very worrying comments about USA wanting Greenland. So I am not in a West versus commie Russia/China mentality. But we have to apply some logic. Crimea was very recently not part of Russia. It was taken. Parts of Ukraine (non-Crimean) are also recently being taken by Russia, violently.

 

[timsk]

. . . As before in the Istanbul peace talks Russia agreed to Ukraine being neutral like Switzerland and joining the EU. I have no idea how Zelensky could turn down neutrality and EU membership in preference of joining NATO and signing up to war. . .

Good post At'.
I'm sure you know the answer to the question you pose (highlighted blue in the quote, above) but, if by chance there are any readers who don't - it's very simple. BoJo, with the backing of Biden, went to see Zelensky in person around March/April 2022 and told him NOT to sign the deal that Ukraine and Russia had worked out in Istanbul. He (Zelensky) was promised full U.S., U.K. (and probably EU) backing - both financially and militarily - and that he could send Putin packing. This would result in a greatly weakened Russia and help maintain U.S. hegemony and the 'international rules based system' etc. . . Zelensky would emerge as a hero and saviour of the west: books would be written about him and statues errected, etc., etc. But, as we now all know, they massively underestimated Putin and Russia's capabilities. Consequently, everything - literally everything - went disastrously wrong for them. The west know the war is lost, but they can't admit it, let alone their supreme arrogance, hubris and utter stupidity. So it continues and more lives are needlessly lost until Russia deals the final fatal blow. That could happen next week, next month or next year - but it'll happen sooner or later, unless the numbskulls in power come to their senses and agree to whatever deal Putin/Russia is willing to sign.
Tim.

 

[RolloTape2025]

Good post At'.
I'm sure you know the answer to the question you pose (highlighted blue in the quote, above) but, if by chance there are any readers who don't - it's very simple. BoJo, with the backing of Biden, went to see Zelensky in person around March/April 2022 and told him NOT to sign the deal that Ukraine and Russia had worked out in Istanbul. He (Zelensky) was promised full U.S., U.K. (and probably EU) backing - both financially and militarily - and that he could send Putin packing. This would result in a greatly weakened Russia and help maintain U.S. hegemony and the 'international rules based system' etc. . . Zelensky would emerge as a hero and saviour of the west: books would be written about him and statues errected, etc., etc. But, as we now all know, they massively underestimated Putin and Russia's capabilities. Consequently, everything - literally everything - went disastrously wrong for them. The west know the war is lost, but they can't admit it, let alone their supreme arrogance, hubris and utter stupidity. So it continues and more lives are needlessly lost until Russia deals the final fatal blow. That could happen next week, next month or next year - but it'll happen sooner or later, unless the numbskulls in power come to their senses and agree to whatever deal Putin/Russia is willing to sign.
Tim.

Wouldn't you class that as very naive on Zelensky's part? Also an over-reach of Russia in trying to determine a separate sovereign countries ability to join alliances/treaties. Actually giving up the nuclear weapons that were once in Ukraine is probably more naive.

Now of course Russia can attack, but in terms of principle, France doesn't get to tell UK that they can't do Brexit or else war. That UK can't join this alliance or that one. Or whatever other decision a country might wish to make.

 

[IlIlIlIlI]

"Crimea always belonged to Russia". Nothing always belonged to ... {insert a country or people here}. People have fought over land and resources and defined borders for many thousands of years, long before Russia existed in its current form.

It is not so easy as there were valid contracts signed between Russia, Ukraine Belarus and Kasakhstan (and more) for the dissolution of the Soviet Union. There is a much longer history even if politicians or MSM think they can fool the younger people by ignoring it.
For the reunion of Germany there are also agreements not held by the last German government like this one

Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Related to Ukraine, there is always a relevant question: Who breached which agreement first?

"As a military city with an "all-Union status" in the Soviet Union, Russia viewed Sevastopol as belonging to it as the successor state to the Soviet central government. ...
Concurrent with the debates surrounding the Black Sea Fleet was a political movement within the then-styled Republic of Crimea for greater independence within Ukraine, or closer ties with Russia. In 1994, pro-Russian candidate Yuriy Meshkov was elected President of Crimea, and the same summer the Sevastopol City Council voted to join Russia. However, the decision was condemned by both Yeltsin and the then recently elected President of Ukraine, Leonid Kuchma, widely perceived to be a pro-Russian candidate. This, along with internal political divisions within Crimea itself, caused the movement to lose support. ...
After several years of intense negotiations the whole issue was resolved in 1997. The Partition Treaty divided the fleet and allowed Russia to lease some of the naval bases in Sevastopol for the Russian Navy until 2017 (extended to 2042 with the Kharkiv Pact), and the Treaty of Friendship fixed the principle of strategic partnership, the recognition of the inviolability of existing borders, the respect for territorial integrity and a mutual commitment not to use its territory to harm the security of each other."

Russia–Ukraine relations - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Russian–Ukrainian Friendship Treaty - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

This treaty was terminated by Proshenko in 2018 during the war in Donbas

Commonwealth of Independent States - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

This treaty was also terminated by Proshenko in 2018
"Parties guarantee to their citizens, regardless of their nationality or other differences, equal rights and freedoms. Each of the Parties guarantees to the citizens of the other Parties, and also to stateless persons resident in their territory, regardless of national affiliation or other differences, civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights and freedoms in accordance with the universal recognized international norms relating to human rights" (Article 2).
...
According to information from the depositary (the Archive of the Government of Belarus), the Agreement is still in force for both Russia and Ukraine as of 2025. The secretary general of the organization Sergey Lebedev believes that Ukraine has the right to withdraw from the agreement by sending a notification of withdrawal, but Ukraine has never sent such a notification of withdrawal and as of 2024 is still part of the Commonwealth of Independent States, which Lebedev has made statements about several times.

Belovezha Accords - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Ukraine confirms key precondition absent from US minerals deal​

Geopolitical 'Royal Flush' or Empty Promises? What’s Behind Trump’s Minerals Deal With Zelensky

Treasury chief Bessent says President Trump handed Zelensky "a royal flush" with the US-Ukraine mineral deal which he can use in negotiations with Russia, signalling that there's "no daylight between the Ukrainian people, the American people, between our goals." There's just one problem, experts...

sputnikglobe.com

Russian Troops Tighten Noose Around Pokrovsk In Pivotal Donbass Offensive

With the end of the nine-month Kursk campaign, the focus of Russia’s military operations has shifted back to the Donbass...

southfront.press

 

[RolloTape2025]

It is not so easy as there were valid contracts signed between Russia, Ukraine Belarus and Kasakhstan (and more) for the dissolution of the Soviet Union. There is a much longer history even if politicians or MSM think they can fool the younger people by ignoring it.
For the reunion of Germany there are also agreements not held by the last German government like this one

Valid in what way? Yes, there is always a deeper longer history. Always.

I think there is very cloudy thinking going on and I was pointing that out. A statement was made, "Crimea always belonged to Russia".

No, pretty much all of Russia belongs to the Mongols. The Golden Horde conquered it long ago. I make a silly - but equivalent - point to show that the statement was incorrect logically and cloudy thinking, which leads to bad conclusions. So throw out the idea that Crimea always belonged to Russia because it is nonsense and throw out the idea that Ukraine belongs to Russia, also nonsense. Lands belong to whomever conquered them last and defended their borders or agreed on those borders with surrounding countries. We have a history as humans of killing and warfare, but please don't pretend that something belongs to a group of people. We see this play out in Israel and we all know what line of thinking leads to and it isn't good.

Lots of agreements are broken and negotiations are handled and things change all the time. You can make it as complicated historically/politically as you want.

Which of the below is incorrect?

Crimea was a region that was freely handed to Ukraine in the 1950s.
Crimea was annexed/taken over by Russia in 2014. It wasn't like this war, but it was still aggressive and a military move
Ukraine has been invaded by Russia in 2022. Hundreds of thousands of people have died I believe. Large swathes of the country destroyed.
Someone crossed the border to invade and attack, someone sent artillery over the border to do damage, someone sent tanks in, someone sent fighter jets over the border to bomb another country that hadn't fired a bullet yet. That someone seems to be Russia.

If you are saying those aren't facts and that Ukraine actually attacked Russia that's a different conversation.

As I said, you can make things complicated, but what are the facts? Did Russia invade? Is Russia still taking land and killing Ukrainians? Have they been doing it for 3 years+ now?

First the facts. Then you can debate nuance and why and how Russia might have been provoked and all the discussion about Ukraine joining NATO and various other agreements that may have been broken. But be clear on who attacked who for example. Who actually wants this war? I don't think it is the Ukrainians. And then, to me at least, it is clear that whatever you think about Ukraine joining NATO or not, it does not justify all this killing and destruction.

 

[IlIlIlIlI]

Valid in what way? Yes, there is always a deeper longer history. Always.

Valid in the way that it must be resolved with all partners and not just from the position of one.

Crimea was a region that was freely handed to Ukraine in the 1950s.

I would not call it "freely" - maybe tactically for a short advantage.

Why Did Russia Give Away Crimea Sixty Years Ago?

In 1954 the Soviet Union transferred control of Crimea to Soviet Ukraine. Mark Kramer (Harvard) explains the reasons behind this surprising decision, one which has come back to haunt Ukraine today with tragic consequences.

www.wilsoncenter.org

As I said, you can make things complicated, but what are the facts? Did Russia invade? Is Russia still taking land and killing Ukrainians? Have they been doing it for 3 years+ now?

country that hadn't fired a bullet yet

In 2022 there was no country that hadn't fired a bullet yet.
The war started 2014 and not 2022 when Russia invaded after being called for help by the new founded "countries" DVR and LPR.
Killing and destruction started in 2014 and not in 2022, the UN counted the registered victims in Donbas.

War in Donbas - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Casualties of the Russo-Ukrainian War - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Who actually wants this war? I don't think it is the Ukrainians.

The war and the continuation is wanted by the ones who take any profit from it.
Not by the victims.

 

[RolloTape2025]

The war and the continuation is wanted by the ones who take any profit from it.
Not by the victims.

Yes.

I don't see that Ukraine profits from this war.
Russia possibly profits, though not in a financial way.
Other 'interests' may be profiting from this, in financial and non-financial ways.

 

[timsk]

Wouldn't you class that as very naive on Zelensky's part? Also an over-reach of Russia in trying to determine a separate sovereign countries ability to join alliances/treaties. Actually giving up the nuclear weapons that were once in Ukraine is probably more naive.

Hi RT,
Naive, stupid - call it what you will.

Now of course Russia can attack, but in terms of principle, France doesn't get to tell UK that they can't do Brexit or else war. That UK can't join this alliance or that one. Or whatever other decision a country might wish to make.

This is the mainstream narrative and, if it were truly accurate, would be completely fair and reasonable. As you rightly say, France has no business telling the U.K. it can't do Brexit or else war. Unfortunately, this analogy is fundamentally wrong - for two reasons. . .

Firstly, it completely ignores the historical context: e.g. the assurances the west has provided Russia over many years that NATO would not expand eastwards, the CIA backed Maidan Coup of 2014, along with various agreements the west has reneged upon such as the Minsk 1 & 2 accords. If you're not aware of the extensive back story, check out the accounts by Profs. John Mearsheimer and Jefftrey Sachs. (I can dig out some YouTube videos if you're interested.)

Secondly, it's akin to comparing apples with oranges. Why? Well, suppose Mexico was to strike up a military alliance with China which resulted in the Mexican military becoming one of the best trained and best equipped in the world, with Chinese nukes all along the border with the U.S. Would the U.S. sit back and say "Mexico is a sovereign country and can strike up deals with whomever it pleases - it's none of our business". No way Jose - of course not! It would think this poses an existential threat (which it clearly would) and would explore every avenue possible to prevent it from happening. Only when left with no alternative would they resort to military action to ensure that it could not happen. And so it is with Russia and Ukraine. The really big lie that no western leader is telling us is that in Putin's shoes, all of them - every last one of them - would have done exactly the same thing. Indeed, not to do so would be a dereliction of their most basic duty which is to protect their own citizens and borders. The hypocrisy is off the charts. The only difference is that some of them - especially the U.S. - would have struck sooner with much greater force without any regard to civilian life (like Israel is doing in Gaza - with military support from the U.S.).

Please don't misconstrue all of this as being 'pro Russian'. I'm not. I just understand why they felt they had no option to do what they've done, endlessly provoked by the west.
Tim.