Tag Archives: Ukraine

Dec 6 2025

The Money Phase – Emissary Witkoff Updates on Ukraine/Russia Peace Negotiations


Posted originally on CTH on December 6, 2025 | Sundance

If we read between the lines in the latest update from President Trump emissary Steve Witkoff, we can clearly see the negotiations have entered into that critical phase where payments to all of the stakeholders will determine a successful outcome.

Pragmatic people have long predicted the ultimate solution to the bloodshed will only be determined once western interests get to the point where negotiators propose a long-term plan for continued financial benefit.  Too many people, “stakeholders” are making money from the conflict.

From a western perspective, support for the Ukraine conflict is based on money. Therefore, the solution to the conflict requires a system where the western opportunity for financial benefit continues.

Written in polite diplomatic terms, the continued payments are identified as “the prosperity agenda which aims to support Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction, joint U.S.–Ukraine economic initiatives, and long-term recovery projects.” This is codespeak for the U.S. Senate and EU will retain a financial mechanism to exploit for personal benefit.

From the language it appears that Witkoff and Kusher are confident they can construct a financial reward system for western banks, investors, politicians and Ukraine officials that will retain the benefits of war without the ancillary ingredient of bloodshed.

If the U.S. delegation can pull this off, then Russia can gain the territory they want, corrupt Ukraine officials can keep skimming investment money, the EU can retain the power it wants to extract financial payments, American politicians can use the “long-term recovery projects” for money laundering and quasi-public/private investment banks can benefit from the exploitation of Ukraine resources.

Again, from a ‘western geopolitical perspective’, the territorial issues, security guarantees, EU membership status and the position of NATO are downstream details once the larger payment system is organized.  Put another way, they are down to the stuff that really matters, the money.

STEVE WITKOFF – Readout of Meeting Between Special Envoy for Peace Steven Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Ukrainian Secretary of National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov, and Chief of General Staff General Andriy Hnatov

Over two days, Special Envoy for Peace Steven Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Ukrainian Secretary of National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov and Chief of General Staff General Andriy Hnatov for constructive discussions on advancing a credible pathway toward a durable and just peace in Ukraine.

Today, the group had their sixth meeting over the past two weeks. Secretary Umerov reaffirmed that Ukraine’s priority is securing a settlement that protects its independence and sovereignty, ensures the safety of Ukrainians, and provides a stable foundation for a prosperous democratic future.

The participants discussed the results of recent meeting of the American side with the Russians and steps that could lead to ending this war. The American and Ukrainians also agreed on the framework of security arrangements and discussed necessary deterrence capabilities to sustain a lasting peace.

Both parties agreed that real progress toward any agreement depends on Russia’s readiness to show serious commitment to long-term peace, including steps toward de-escalation and cessation of killings.

Parties also separately reviewed the future prosperity agenda which aims to support Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction, joint U.S.–Ukraine economic initiatives, and long-term recovery projects.

American and Ukrainian parties underscored that an end to the war and credible steps toward ceasefire and de-escalation are necessary to prevent renewed aggression and to enable Ukraine’s comprehensive redevelopment plan, designed to make the nation stronger and more prosperous than before the war.

Parties will reconvene tomorrow to continue advancing the discussions.” (source)

From the Russian side of the equation the war is about ideology, national security and proactive defeat of western, mostly American, encroachment and influence.  From the western side, the EU support for Ukraine was less ideological and more financially motivated.

Russia and Ukraine have paid a high price in the larger proxy war.  Russia has won the physical fight.  Hopefully soon the financial terms will be accepted by the western stakeholders and combat operations can cease.

Ukraine President Zelenskyy will get a nice villa in Europe and a reasonable mansion in the USA.  The cocktail parties will continue with crustless cucumber sandwiches and white wine spritzers, while the ladies go shopping and the men get manicures while talking about which of their favorites will replace Zelenskyy.

Dec 4 2025

Secretary of State Marco Rubio Discusses Immigration Vetting, Venezuela Situation and Ukraine-Russia Conflict


Posted originally on CTH on December 3, 2025 | Sundance

Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio appears on Fox News for an extensive interview about current events. Within the interview Secretary Rubio discusses the current status of immigration vetting and the pause therein.

Additionally, Rubio outlines the current state of the U.S. operation in/around Venezuela and the ongoing negotiations with Ukraine and Russia to end the conflict in Eastern Europe. WATCH:

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Dec 3 2025

Videos Worth Watching – President Trump asked About Witkoff and Kushner Visiting Moscow


Posted originally on CTH on December 3, 2025 | Sundance 

President Trump was asked about the Witkoff and Kusher trip to Moscow, Russia as negotiations for an end to the conflict are ongoing.  President Trump noted he had not yet heard from the emissary duo, as he is spending time with media, answering questions and being the most transparent administration in history [Video Here].

In the contextual background, Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov and Special Presidential Representative for Investment and Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), Kirill Dmitriev spent time walking through Moscow center city with Trump Emissaries Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.  This is before the meeting with Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin.

This move is typical Putin.  It’s not a negative per se’, but rather an emphatic narrative contrast intended to draw attention to a Russian/American dichotomy.

This optical presentation was likely coordinated via Yury Ushakov and Steve Witkoff.  The optical message is psychological targeting; the city of Moscow -structural order, cleanliness, visual and representative Christmas holiday festival spirit- contrast and compared to the city of Washington DC, chaos, conflict and lack of social cohesion.

Traditional American intelligence review would be angered by what would be deemed psy-op manipulation; however, the reality of the situation doesn’t diminish just because the intent is to emphasize the contrast.

In reality, the Russian system of social cohesion generates these visible outcomes, and yes, there is an authoritarian mechanism that mandates the mechanics of what is inherently visible.  The debate, which never takes place, regards the overall outcome, the value in the experience as contrast against the two systems.

Yes, despite our unwillingness to admit benefit, there is value in government setting social rules, enforcing cultural compliance standards, demanding self-respect, patriotism and the lack of visible vulgarity.  Yes, if govt enforces a rules-based order, it will be naturally oppressive to those who are non-compliant – perhaps to those who prefer vulgarity. However, it is not as simple as dismissing the value when contrast against the outcomes.

THE UNSPOKEN MESSAGE: President Trump has to put national guard troops on the ground in Washington DC to retain lawful order, to control the thugs and enhance the safety and security (domestic tranquility) of the region.  President Putin does not need to put the Russian army on the streets to control the thugs or generate the same outcome; Putin’s effort has a cultural outcome.

As the ‘West’ continues to destroy itself (Russian perspective), its culture, its moral decency – and by extension its identity – the position of Russia is to keep out these vulgar influences that devalue the national sense of self-respect.

From the position of the Russian standard, social indecency is not going to be permitted, and if it takes oppressive govt control mechanisms to enforce national cultural standards, if it takes govt to mandate self-discipline, then so be it.

That’s the larger message from Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin, and it is a cold, unwavering and deliberate approach that appears hard, callous and dictatorial to the ‘West’, because in many ways, it is exactly that.

Taking part in the meeting on the Russian side were Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov, and Special Presidential Representative for Investment and Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), Kirill Dmitriev.

On the American side, the meeting was attended by Special Envoy of the President of the United States of America Steve Witkoff ,together with entrepreneur, investor, and founder of Affinity Partners Jared Kushner.

Ushakov is to Witkoff as Dmitriev is to Kushner.  However, I will say very directly -and this might not please a lot of Trump critics- that Jared Kushner is the key influence agent in this negotiation.

Despite what people might criticize him for, Mr. Jared Kushner has a remarkable level of self-discipline and an emotionless face that would immediately earn the respect of any Russian opposition.  When you know how Russians think about strength, you realize the mental component is their focus.  When the Russian delegation looks upon Kushner, they see self-control, strength, limited words and ultimately that translates to power.

If there is a hard 10% needed to get to the finish line of negotiations, it will be Kushner who penetrates that difficult part.  If Ukraine is to achieve an outcome that leaves them with self-respect in the final product, it will be Jared Kushner who delivers that for them.

Additionally, Russian President Vladimir Putin is happy, because he is in a strong position having just won control of the city of Pokrovsk in Ukraine (Donbas region), saying the now-secured area is a key base for Moscow’s ongoing military advance.  Ukrainian resistance is falling, as the stronghold for the best units of the Ukraine military has now collapsed.

Dec 2 2025

Rubio, Witkoff and Kushner Meet Ukraine Officials in Florida for Discussion of Terms Before Witkoff Returns to Moscow Tuesday


Posted originally on CTH on December 1, 2025 | Sundance

On Sunday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump emissaries Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with the Ukraine negotiating team in Florida to further discuss acceptable terms for a broader ceasefire and end to the war.

Still trying to recover from corruption charges against his senior presidential team, Volodymyr Zelenskyy was not at the talks. Instead, the Ukraine delegation was led by State Security Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, while Zelenskyy went to Paris for an emotional support session with Emmanuel Macron.

Secretary Rubio and Secretary Umerov spoke before and after their 5-hour negotiation session.  Secretary Rubio emphasized the main topic as securing the long-term future of Ukraine both from a security position and from an economic prosperity position.

This state security aspect comes as the Ukraine delegation is facing pressure to accept, they will lose most -if not all- of the Donbas region to Russia. “The end goal is obviously not just the end of the war. Obviously, that’s central and fundamental,” Rubio said. “It’s also about securing an end to the war that leaves Ukraine sovereign and independent and with an opportunity at real prosperity.”

In better-than-expected news, the EU is now saying they will not comply with any removal of sanctions against Russia.  If the U.S-Russia and Ukraine work out a negotiated settlement that permits legal or economic relief for Vladimir Putin, the European Union will not agree and will instead make up their own decision on the issues.

Europe is holding this position as a threat, because President Trump is not fully consulting with them on all the granular details.  However, this is the type of threat that is exactly beneficial to what appears to be the long-term strategy of Trump.

If Europe refuses to remove sanctions or legal threats against Russia, but the U.S. negotiates the removal of U.S treasury and financial sanctions against Russia, then the Europeans have chosen to stay behind the locked door of economic benefit. More than two-thirds of the world does not participate in the sanctions at all.

If Europe and Canada continue blacklisting Russia, the U.S-Russia energy development program gains exclusive benefits to Trump, Putin and other allies like Mohammed bin Salmon (Saudi Arabia), ASEAN nations and even Japan.

In very practical terms, someone like Viktor Orban (Hungary) would like nothing more than to violate ongoing Brussels sanctions against Russia, and as a consequence create a fracture point for European Union exit.

In practical terms, what would this look like?  Well, the entire world would have lower energy prices, lower oil and natural gas prices, and lower gasoline prices by big margins.  Meanwhile, Europe would have a massive disparity in their much higher energy costs – likely double the rest of the world.   Think about the ramifications.  Hungary, Georgia, Montenegro, and Serbia with 50% lower prices on gasoline and electricity than the EU.  lolol  It would be funny.

Unfortunately, with this in mind I find the EU threats hollow.  As soon as the U.S-Russia-Ukraine work out a peace and security agreement, Europe will comply with whatever terms are negotiated for Russia.  Failure to do so only isolates the Europeans and will create a problem amid their collective mindsets.

(Via Axios) Negotiations between the U.S. and Ukraine on Sunday focused on where the de facto border with Russia would be drawn under a peace deal, two Ukrainian officials tell Axios. They described the five-hour meeting as “difficult” and “intense,” but productive.

Why it matters: Russian President Vladimir Putin — who’s expected to meet with President Trump’s envoy on Tuesday — insists Russia won’t stop until it controls the entire Donbas region in eastern Ukraine.

After an hour in a wider format, the meeting narrowed to three officials from each side — with the line of territorial control virtually the only issue discussed, according to the two Ukrainian officials.

On the U.S. side were Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump’s adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner. The Ukrainian side was represented by national security adviser Rustem Umerov, military chief of staff Gen. Andrii Hnatov and deputy head of military intelligence Vadym Skibitskyi.

After the talks with their teams ended, Umerov held another one-on-one meeting with Witkoff. Umerov then called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to brief him on the talks.

“It was intense but not negative. We really appreciate serious U.S. engagement. Our position is that we have to make everything to help U.S. succeed without losing our country and preventing another aggression from happening,” one of the Ukrainian officials wrote to Axios after the meeting.

Between the lines: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had wanted to discuss territory directly with Trump, but Trump said he’d only meet Zelensky or Putin again once a deal is close.

Umerov is expected to meet Zelensky in Paris on Monday and give him a more detailed report about the negotiations, Ukrainian officials say.

Witkoff plans to depart for Moscow on Monday and meet Putin on Tuesday.

“The main question is where the Russians stand and if their intentions are real. Let’s see what Witkoff brings from Moscow,” a Ukrainian official said. (more)

Nov 25 2025

NATO, EU & Zelensky Reject Any Peace with Russia


Posted originally on Nov 24, 2025 by Martin Armstrong |  

Zelensky 7

I warned those who called me in to draft a peace plan that Kalls (The EU’s female version of Lindsey Olin Graham) and Zelensky are not interested in peace and will sabotage any effort whatsoever to create peace. Zelensky on Monday insisted that any peace plan to end the war must include a recognition of the “aggressor” paying the price, in light of Russia triggering the conflict by invading Ukraine in 2022. Of course, he wants all the Russian frozen money for himself and his corrupt supporter in the EU and his cronies who suspended all elections for him and themselves. He said:

“The aggressor must pay fully for the war he started, and this is why decisions on Russian assets are essential.”

Zelensky in a video address to the Swedish parliament on Monday, arguing that an agreement on the use of frozen Russian assets is a crucial element to any proposal. He does not care about the Ukrainian people. He does NOT want the end of the war for then he no longer has the excuse to remain as an unelected president.

I reiterate my recommendation that the USA EXIT NATO and get the hell out of Europe for there is absolutely no way they will ever accept peace with Russia. I have stressed this in my meetings and we must be concerned about Americans FIRST, not this vendetta Ukraine has against the Russian people. That will never be resolved any more than the hatred between Iran and Israel.

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Monopoly Board

Ukraine will self-destruct. They will never accept peace no matter what. This is not some dispassionate swap of I will you Boardwalk for Park Place. The Donbas has a right to separate. They are ethnically Russian and they will NEVER be free of the hatred of the Ukrainian Nazis.

Ukraine_Hryvnia Y Array 6 16 24 Flatlining
Nuclear Deterence

Our computer has provided a long-term forecast that is unprecedented. I have never seen the computer go FLAT LINE on a country as it has on Ukraine. This is one of the most significant and worrying geopolitical questions of our time. The risk of a nuclear conflict arising from the war in Ukraine cannot be dismissed out of hand. This risk is higher than it has been in decades, and the potential consequences are catastrophic.

It’s crucial to understand that this is not a single risk, but a cascade of potential scenarios. Russia’s stated doctrine allows for the use of nuclear weapons in response to:

  • A nuclear attack on Russia or its allies.
  • An attack with conventional weapons when “the very existence of the state is threatened.”
Kallas _Chinese_Foreign_Minister_Wang_Yi

This is precisely the objective of NATO and the EU – the conquest of Russia. The critical point lies in the phrase “existence of the state.” Russia is well aware that this is NOT a war for Ukraine, this is a war against NATO. This idea that Russia must surrender everything would only invite a third coup in Russia and we would surely end up with a hardliner. A conventional defeat in Ukraine  would be be interpreted by the Kremlin as such an existential threat. China told to Kallas’ face that they were NOT prepared to see Russia lose because they know that they would be next.

The Kallas/EU/NATO counter proposal to me warrants a complete abandonment of NATO by the USA. We MUST get out ASAP!!!! Their plan states:

  • All references to NATO non-expansion, one of the US plan’s requirements, have been completely removed.
  • Ukraine’s Armed Forces will be capped at 800,000 personnel. The US plan proposed a limit of 600,000.
  • Ukraine may join NATO if all members reach a consensus. The requirement to enshrine NATO rejection in Ukraine’s Constitution is removed, as is the demand that NATO amend its statutes to bar Ukraine.

This Demonstrated that there is NO interest whatsoever in a lasting peace.

The risk is not of a sudden, unprovoked nuclear strike, but of a conflict escalating through a series of steps cannot be dismissed at this point. Tactical vs. Strategic Use:

  • A “limited” tactical nuclear weapon (or demonstration strike) might be used on a military target in Ukraine to:
  • Shock Ukraine and its allies into submission.
  • Break a Ukrainian battlefield breakthrough that threatens a catastrophic Russian defeat (e.g., the collapse of frontline forces).
  • Signal Russia’s absolute commitment and shatter Western resolve.

Accident or Miscalculation:

  • The intense conventional warfare, with strikes deep inside Russian-occupied territory and attacks on Russian military assets (like the Black Sea Fleet), increases the chance of an incident that could spiral out of control. Kallas has been advocating the total destruction of the Russian shadow fleet under the theory that would collapse the Russian economy. Of course, she directs Ukraine to do it pretending this is not NATO or the EU. They just provide the gun and tell Zelensky to pull the trigger.
  • With Zelensky deliberately attaching Russian energy assets with the intent of destroying their econom is a direct threat against Russia itself and that certainly falls within their definition to use nuclear weapons. Such a strike that intentionally or accidentally kills high-level Russian officials or causes mass casualties on Russian soil would trigger a disproportionate response.

Involving NATO Directly:

If a Russian strike (conventional or nuclear) were to spill over onto NATO territory (e.g., in Poland or Romania), even by accident, it would invoke Article 5 and would answer the prayers of Kallas and and launch a direct NATO-Russia conflict, which would carry an immense nuclear risk.

Russia’s Warning are Twisted by the Press as threats

Russian officials have repeatedly warned the West that they are courting nuclear war. They know the truth that this has been orchestrated by the NATO and the Neocons who has usurped American Foreign Policy and the dishonesty pf German Chancellor Merkle negotiating the Minsk Agreement with no intent of allowing the Donbas to separate as she admitted it was to buy time for NATO to train a Ukrainian army to wage war on Russia.  threats since the invasion began. Russia’s warning are taken by the press as threats rather than warnings that the European leaders are courting the destruction of Europe. The Neocons and NATO present this to the press as a form of coercion designed to deter deeper Western involvement. The Western Press is not concerned with war, but is cheering it on.

Factors That Mitigate the Risk

Massive Retaliation and Deterrence:

  • The United States and NATO have made it explicitly clear that any use of nuclear weapons by Russia would have “catastrophic consequences.” While they have not detailed the response, the implied threat is a conventional or even nuclear counter-strike. This creates a powerful deterrent.
  • The laughable claim that any tactical nuclear weapon would achieve militarily in Ukraine would contaminate territory Russia hopes to control, alienate key partners like China and India, and likely unite the West rather than break it. This is absurd since China already is preparing for World War III and has 50%+ of the total wheat reserves that the West does not, and contaminating the territory of Ukraine, which is the breadbasket for the EU, would undering NATO and Russia has no such interest in occupying Ukraine. Their goal has been to protect the Russians in the Donbas.

International Condemnation:

  • The other laughable claim that a nuclear strike would turn Russia into a global pariah overnight. China, which has a “no first use” policy, would likely be forced to distance itself significantly. China knows that World War III is coming and said to Kallas’ face that they were NOT prepared to allow Russia to lose because they would be next.

Risk of a Russia Coup:

  • The decision to use a nuclear weapon rests solely with Putin. The Russian military chain of command is tightly controlled, reducing the risk of an unauthorized launch, but raising the risk of a single decision-maker’s miscalculation. Any attempt to embarrass Putin risks a coup and his replacement with a real harliner who is fully aware that NATO and the EU are behind this war and they do not want any lasting peace.
  • Putin is a calculated actor, not a suicidal one like the Neocons or NATO, and understands the existential risks for Russia and the world. But he must defend Russia for this is an existential threat for the total destruction of Russia.
  • However, nearly all agree intelligence agencies acknowledge that the risk of nuclear war is at its highest point since the Cuban Missile Crisis. It is no longer a theoretical academic discussion but a active part of military and political planning in Western capitals.
  • The risk is not static. It fluctuates with the fortunes of war. A major Ukrainian success or a perceived desperation in the Kremlin would cause the risk to spike.

Conclusion

The risk of nuclear war over Ukraine is a real and present danger, and given the actors like Kallas, Zelensky, and the Neocon running NATO, this has become an imminent likelihood rather than just a theatrical discussion. What is clear is that nuclear weapons are no longer a deterrent. NATO keeps telling leaders Russia will never push the button so they can invade and take Russia in days if not weeks.

Boris_Johnson_We_are_in_a_proxy_war_against_Russia_

The primary risk is one of escalation through miscalculation. by NATO, Kallas (the EU Lindsey Graham) that they can utterly destroy Russia with no nuclear weapons. The West is walking a fine line waging war against Russia while pretending they are not directly involved,

DO NOT TRAVEL TO EUROPE POST-APRIL 2026

Nov 24 2025

Sunday Talks: Secretary Scott Bessent -vs- Kirsten Welker


Posted originally on CTH on November 23, 2025 | Sundance 

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appears on Meet the Press to debate Kirsten Welker’s formatted corporate media talking points.  The source of most American division is found in the behavior of the media.

Video and Transcript Below:

[TRANSCRIPT] – KRISTEN WELKER: And joining me now is Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Secretary Bessent, welcome back to Meet the Press.

Good to see you this morning, Senator.

SEN. MARK WARNER (D-VA), INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR: Good morning, Martha.

RADDATZ: What is your reaction to this peace proposal that is on the table?

WARNER: My reaction is it’s awful. It would make Neville Chamberlain’s giving in to Hitler outside of World War II looks strong in comparison. The fact that this was almost a series of Russian talking points, would require Ukraine to give the — totality of the Donbas, parts they still control, cut back their military forces going forward, never be able to join NATO.

This would be a complete capitulation. And it’s why I think you’re hearing from Congress, both sides, people pushing back. And, obviously, the Europeans feel like they’ve been totally left high and dry.

MARTHA RADDATZ, ABC “THIS WEEK” CO-ANCHOR: You’ve heard the deadline from President Trump, but then him saying that’s not — there’s room for negotiation here, it seems like. So, what do you think happens after today (ph)?

WARNER: I think what happens — it feels like this was a plan that they took almost entirely from the Russians, did no consultation with Congress, no consultation with the Europeans, obviously didn’t read in Zelenskyy and the Ukrainians, and now they’re getting ferocious pushback. So, one more time, Trump is changing his deadline.

Of course, how he picked Thanksgiving to start with, I have no idea. But now it — even with this — some of this back and forth that it’s not really an American plan, or isn’t an American plan, this is the kind of chaos that, unfortunately, represents so much of the Trump foreign policy.

RADDATZ: So, what do you think President Zelenskyy should do? He’s been through this before. It’s kind of back and forth with this White House. They support you. They pull it back. Do you think all of this, this proposal, which seems to heavily favor Russia, is that just a starting point again?

WARNER: Well, I would hope — I would hope so. Again, the Ukrainians have performed magnificently in the field. And they are reinventing the nature of warfare in terms of use — use of drones. To have this proposal forced upon them, I think as Zelenskyy said, Ukrainian dignity versus giving up a partner, I would hope the president would not be so weak as to try to force this plan on the Ukrainian and our other allies. It would, I think, send not only a horrible signal for Europe, but the person who’s watching this probably the most closely is President Xi in China. And if the Americans are willing to throw in their towel so much like this on Ukraine, you can bet that Xi is thinking, this gives him a clearer path in terms of taking Taiwan.

RADDATZ: But what does Zelenskyy do here? If on Thursday the president says, I’m telling you right now, take what we’ve got on the table and — and there will probably be some changes, or we’re done. What — what does Zelenskyy do, just hope that Europe rises and helps him out?

WARNER: Well, let’s — let’s, again, you have overwhelming support still for Ukraine. The last Ukraine aid package had 80 percent of the Congress. I think the president is seeing this one-sided plan kind of blow up in his face with pushback from the Ukrainians, from the Europeans, from members of Congress of his own party. And my hope is, he’ll come back and be a bit more reasonable.

RADDATZ: I want to turn to Venezuela. We’re all watching that this week. What can you tell us about what you think happens now. We’ve got this massive buildup. We’ve got this massive show of force. We have airline who aren’t — that aren’t flying there because of all the activity and the military activity right now.

Do you expect something more to happen?

WARNER: Well, historically, the United States’ intervention in Central America or South America has not always rolled out the way we’d hope. Maduro was a bad guy, frankly, under Biden. When the Venezuelan people voted in overwhelming numbers, Biden should have put more pressure on getting Maduro out then. It was a mistake.

But now, to have this much armed forces, we have not been briefed on any military action that would have been authorized. He keeps putting the word out that maybe he has authorized, maybe he’s not. We are trying to get the answer on that. But there is a real question. You know, to take this big a fleet, bring our largest aircraft carrier, put them there to further blow up boats that they claim have drugs on them, frankly they could have interdicted some of those boats and shown the world that there were drugs.

In terms of Venezuela, the legal opinion about the drug run — drug running doesn’t touch Venezuela at all. So, the president would have to come back and brief us.

RADDATZ: Trump says he’ll be speaking with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Do you think that is a good idea? And what can you say to him?

WARNER: Because I think the notion that Trump says he’ll talk to anyone, I think that is — I’m not going to critique him on that, if there’s a way to push Maduro out. Remember, our government and fifty other governments, almost all of Western Europe, don’t recognize the Maduro government as legitimate. But it does not feel like there is an organized plan. And coming down again, America only, without any of our other allies in South America or Central America again seems not the right approach to me.

RADDATZ: What could happen short of a show of force? When you have that massive a show of force, it’s almost like, you’re in a position where you have to do something or you might look weak. Short of Maduro saying, OK, I’ll leave, then what does he do?

WARNER: Well, again, that’s the million-dollar question. And as you know, when you’ve got this many forces down there, and you can’t keep the carrier positioned there forever, you also have the chance of an accident happening or a conflict between the Venezuelan air force or some of our planes that might —

RADDATZ: Do you think he wants to go to war with Venezuela? Do you think he wants (INAUDIBLE) —

WARNER: I don’t know. I don’t know. I think he is trying to put outside pressure on Maduro. But by doing it in this kind of America only approach, again without giving any sign to, I think, even his — the Republicans on The Hill what his plans are, I’m not sure is the right way to do foreign policy. You couple this Venezuela misadventure with this desertion of Ukraine and this is not making America safer, and it’s sure not putting America first.

RADDATZ: Thanks very much for joining us, Senator. Always appreciate it.

[End Transcript]

Nov 24 2025

Sunday Talks – Senator Mark Warner Not Happy with Ukraine Peace Proposal – Video and Transcript


Posted originally on CTH on November 23, 2025 | Sundance 

Sometimes it pays to remind what Marco Rubio said back in February, “Ukraine is a proxy war between the U.S. and Russia.”  From that context the remarks from SSCI Vice-Chair, Senator Mark Warner, make sense.

Warner appears on ABC News ‘This Week’ to denounce the peace proposal now being negotiated in Geneva, Switzerland between Secretary Rubio and the Ukrainian delegation.  Senator Warner makes it clear he will not accept the end to conflict in Ukraine.  Video and Transcript Below:

[TRANSCRIPT] – Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chair Mark Warner joins me now.

Good to see you this morning, Senator.

SEN. MARK WARNER (D-VA), INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR: Good morning, Martha.

RADDATZ: What is your reaction to this peace proposal that is on the table?

WARNER: My reaction is it’s awful. It would make Neville Chamberlain’s giving in to Hitler outside of World War II looks strong in comparison. The fact that this was almost a series of Russian talking points, would require Ukraine to give the — totality of the Donbas, parts they still control, cut back their military forces going forward, never be able to join NATO.

This would be a complete capitulation. And it’s why I think you’re hearing from Congress, both sides, people pushing back. And, obviously, the Europeans feel like they’ve been totally left high and dry.

MARTHA RADDATZ, ABC “THIS WEEK” CO-ANCHOR: You’ve heard the deadline from President Trump, but then him saying that’s not — there’s room for negotiation here, it seems like. So, what do you think happens after today (ph)?

WARNER: I think what happens — it feels like this was a plan that they took almost entirely from the Russians, did no consultation with Congress, no consultation with the Europeans, obviously didn’t read in Zelenskyy and the Ukrainians, and now they’re getting ferocious pushback. So, one more time, Trump is changing his deadline.

Of course, how he picked Thanksgiving to start with, I have no idea. But now it — even with this — some of this back and forth that it’s not really an American plan, or isn’t an American plan, this is the kind of chaos that, unfortunately, represents so much of the Trump foreign policy.

RADDATZ: So, what do you think President Zelenskyy should do? He’s been through this before. It’s kind of back and forth with this White House. They support you. They pull it back. Do you think all of this, this proposal, which seems to heavily favor Russia, is that just a starting point again?

WARNER: Well, I would hope — I would hope so. Again, the Ukrainians have performed magnificently in the field. And they are reinventing the nature of warfare in terms of use — use of drones. To have this proposal forced upon them, I think as Zelenskyy said, Ukrainian dignity versus giving up a partner, I would hope the president would not be so weak as to try to force this plan on the Ukrainian and our other allies. It would, I think, send not only a horrible signal for Europe, but the person who’s watching this probably the most closely is President Xi in China. And if the Americans are willing to throw in their towel so much like this on Ukraine, you can bet that Xi is thinking, this gives him a clearer path in terms of taking Taiwan.

RADDATZ: But what does Zelenskyy do here? If on Thursday the president says, I’m telling you right now, take what we’ve got on the table and — and there will probably be some changes, or we’re done. What — what does Zelenskyy do, just hope that Europe rises and helps him out?

WARNER: Well, let’s — let’s, again, you have overwhelming support still for Ukraine. The last Ukraine aid package had 80 percent of the Congress. I think the president is seeing this one-sided plan kind of blow up in his face with pushback from the Ukrainians, from the Europeans, from members of Congress of his own party. And my hope is, he’ll come back and be a bit more reasonable.

RADDATZ: I want to turn to Venezuela. We’re all watching that this week. What can you tell us about what you think happens now. We’ve got this massive buildup. We’ve got this massive show of force. We have airline who aren’t — that aren’t flying there because of all the activity and the military activity right now.

Do you expect something more to happen?

WARNER: Well, historically, the United States’ intervention in Central America or South America has not always rolled out the way we’d hope. Maduro was a bad guy, frankly, under Biden. When the Venezuelan people voted in overwhelming numbers, Biden should have put more pressure on getting Maduro out then. It was a mistake.

But now, to have this much armed forces, we have not been briefed on any military action that would have been authorized. He keeps putting the word out that maybe he has authorized, maybe he’s not. We are trying to get the answer on that. But there is a real question. You know, to take this big a fleet, bring our largest aircraft carrier, put them there to further blow up boats that they claim have drugs on them, frankly they could have interdicted some of those boats and shown the world that there were drugs.

In terms of Venezuela, the legal opinion about the drug run — drug running doesn’t touch Venezuela at all. So, the president would have to come back and brief us.

RADDATZ: Trump says he’ll be speaking with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Do you think that is a good idea? And what can you say to him?

WARNER: Because I think the notion that Trump says he’ll talk to anyone, I think that is — I’m not going to critique him on that, if there’s a way to push Maduro out. Remember, our government and fifty other governments, almost all of Western Europe, don’t recognize the Maduro government as legitimate. But it does not feel like there is an organized plan. And coming down again, America only, without any of our other allies in South America or Central America again seems not the right approach to me.

RADDATZ: What could happen short of a show of force? When you have that massive a show of force, it’s almost like, you’re in a position where you have to do something or you might look weak. Short of Maduro saying, OK, I’ll leave, then what does he do?

WARNER: Well, again, that’s the million-dollar question. And as you know, when you’ve got this many forces down there, and you can’t keep the carrier positioned there forever, you also have the chance of an accident happening or a conflict between the Venezuelan air force or some of our planes that might —

RADDATZ: Do you think he wants to go to war with Venezuela? Do you think he wants (INAUDIBLE) —

WARNER: I don’t know. I don’t know. I think he is trying to put outside pressure on Maduro. But by doing it in this kind of America only approach, again without giving any sign to, I think, even his — the Republicans on The Hill what his plans are, I’m not sure is the right way to do foreign policy. You couple this Venezuela misadventure with this desertion of Ukraine and this is not making America safer, and it’s sure not putting America first.

RADDATZ: Thanks very much for joining us, Senator. Always appreciate it.

[End Transcript]

 

Nov 24 2025

Secretary of State Marco Rubio Holds a Press Conference from Geneva Switzerland During Discussions with Ukraine Officials


Posted originally on CTH on November 23, 2025 | Sundance

Delegations from Ukraine and the USA have been holding talks in Geneva on a draft peace plan. No statement has been officially released, but Ukraine and Russia had received the draft 28-point plan aimed at ending the war. President Trump put the general deadline date of Thursday for review.

Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin has said the plan could form the basis of an agreement, but Ukraine and its European money laundering stakeholders have expressed concern. Giving a brief update during discussions, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US and Ukrainian teams had held “probably the best meeting” since Trump returned to office.

Negotiations continued all day with Secretary Rubio noting significant progress has been made and talks will continue into tomorrow. Rubio noted, “we just need more time.” WATCH:

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been using his X Account all day to message with allies and “stakeholders” about the negotiations.  Zelenskyy is the performative face of opposition to the peace agreement and leveraging external pressure to maintain a fight that domestically has lost significant support.

President Trump has expressed frustration with Zelenskyy’s intransigence; however, if the reporting is accurate Zelenskyy has been informed this 26 or 28 point proposal is his last opportunity to negotiate in good faith before President Trump cuts off all assistance to Ukraine.   Secretary Rubio seems very optimistic.

Nov 22 2025

President Trump Gives Zelenskyy a Week to Discuss Latest Ceasefire and Peace Proposal


Posted originally on CTH on November 21, 2025 | Sundance 

President Trump confirmed on Fox News (during an interview with Brian Kilmeade) he gave Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a week to review the 28-point peace proposal organized by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.

Ukraine will likely never agree to the proposal, because too many European and American interests are grounded in maintaining conflict between Russia and Ukraine.  However, the shift this time is that if Ukraine/EU/NATO and Congress do not agree to the ceasefire and peace proposal, President Trump has indicated he will withdraw all support.

Axios originally obtained the 28-page proposal, and Politico has confirmed it.

.

Zelenskyy – “President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a joint phone call with President of France Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer, and Federal Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz.

The Head of State thanked them for their principled support for Ukraine and for all our people.

The parties discussed the plan for peace for Ukraine and all of Europe. The leaders value the efforts of the United States, President Trump, and his team aimed at ending this war, and are working on the document prepared by the American side. This must be a plan that ensures a real and dignified peace.

The leaders are coordinating closely to make sure that the principled stances are taken into account. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer, and Friedrich Merz coordinated the next steps and agreed that the teams will work together at the corresponding levels.” (link)

1. Ukraine’s sovereignty will be confirmed.

2. A comprehensive non-aggression agreement will be concluded between Russia, Ukraine and Europe. All ambiguities of the last 30 years will be considered settled.

3. It is expected that Russia will not invade neighboring countries, and NATO will not expand further.

4. A dialogue will be held between Russia and NATO, mediated by the United States, to resolve all security issues and create conditions for de-escalation in order to ensure global security and increase opportunities for cooperation and future economic development.

5. Ukraine will receive reliable security guarantees.

6. The size of the Ukrainian Armed Forces will be limited to 600,000 personnel.

7. Ukraine agrees to enshrine in its constitution that it will not join NATO, and NATO agrees to include in its statutes a provision that Ukraine will not be admitted in the future.

8. NATO agrees not to station troops in Ukraine.

9. European fighter jets will be stationed in Poland.

10. The U.S. guarantee:

•The U.S. will receive compensation for the guarantee;
•If Ukraine invades Russia, it will lose the guarantee;
•If Russia invades Ukraine, in addition to a decisive coordinated military response, all global sanctions will be reinstated, recognition of the new territory and all other benefits of this deal will be revoked;
•If Ukraine launches a missile at Moscow or St. Petersburg without cause, the security guarantee will be deemed invalid.

11. Ukraine is eligible for EU membership and will receive short-term preferential access to the European market while this issue is being considered.

12. A powerful global package of measures to rebuild Ukraine, including but not limited to:

•The creation of a Ukraine Development Fund to invest in fast-growing industries, including technology, data centers, and artificial intelligence.
•The United States will cooperate with Ukraine to jointly rebuild, develop, modernize, and operate Ukraine’s gas infrastructure, including pipelines and storage facilities.
•Joint efforts to rehabilitate war-affected areas for the restoration, reconstruction and modernization of cities and residential areas.
•Infrastructure development.
•Extraction of minerals and natural resources.
•The World Bank will develop a special financing package to accelerate these efforts.

13. Russia will be reintegrated into the global economy:

•The lifting of sanctions will be discussed and agreed upon in stages and on a case-by-case basis.
•The United States will enter into a long-term economic cooperation agreement for mutual development in the areas of energy, natural resources, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, data centers, rare earth metal extraction projects in the Arctic, and other mutually beneficial corporate opportunities.
•Russia will be invited to rejoin the G8.

14. Frozen funds will be used as follows:

•$100 billion in frozen Russian assets will be invested in US-led efforts to rebuild and invest in Ukraine;
•The US will receive 50% of the profits from this venture. Europe will add $100 billion to increase the amount of investment available for Ukraine’s reconstruction. Frozen European funds will be unfrozen. The remainder of the frozen Russian funds will be invested in a separate US-Russian investment vehicle that will implement joint projects in specific areas. This fund will be aimed at strengthening relations and increasing common interests to create a strong incentive not to return to conflict.

15. A joint American-Russian working group on security issues will be established to promote and ensure compliance with all provisions of this agreement.

16. Russia will enshrine in law its policy of non-aggression towards Europe and Ukraine.

18. Ukraine agrees to be a non-nuclear state in accordance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

19. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant will be launched under the supervision of the IAEA, and the electricity produced will be distributed equally between Russia and Ukraine — 50:50.

20. Both countries undertake to implement educational programs in schools and society aimed at promoting understanding and tolerance of different cultures and eliminating racism and prejudice:

•Ukraine will adopt EU rules on religious tolerance and the protection of linguistic minorities.
•Both countries will agree to abolish all discriminatory measures and guarantee the rights of Ukrainian and Russian media and education. (Note: Similar ideas were incorporated into Trump’s 2020 Israel-Palestine peace plan).
•All Nazi ideology and activities must be rejected and prohibited.

21. Territories:

•Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk will be recognized as de facto Russian, including by the United States.
•Kherson and Zaporizhzhia will be frozen along the line of contact, which will mean de facto recognition along the line of contact.
•Russia will relinquish other agreed territories it controls outside the five regions.
•Ukrainian forces will withdraw from the part of Donetsk Oblast that they currently control, and this withdrawal zone will be considered a neutral demilitarized buffer zone, internationally recognized as territory belonging to the Russian Federation. Russian forces will not enter this demilitarized zone

22. After agreeing on future territorial arrangements, both the Russian Federation and Ukraine undertake not to change these arrangements by force. Any security guarantees will not apply in the event of a breach of this commitment.

23. Russia will not prevent Ukraine from using the Dnieper River for commercial activities, and agreements will be reached on the free transport of grain across the Black Sea.

24. A humanitarian committee will be established to resolve outstanding issues:

•All remaining prisoners and bodies will be exchanged on an ‘all for all’ basis.
•All civilian detainees and hostages will be returned, including children.
•A family reunification program will be implemented.
•Measures will be taken to alleviate the suffering of the victims of the conflict.

25. Ukraine will hold elections in 100 days.

26. All parties involved in this conflict will receive full amnesty for their actions during the war and agree not to make any claims or consider any complaints in the future.

27. This agreement will be legally binding. Its implementation will be monitored and guaranteed by the Peace Council, headed by President Donald J. Trump. Sanctions will be imposed for violations

28. Once all parties agree to this memorandum, the ceasefire will take effect immediately after both sides retreat to agreed points to begin implementation of the agreement.

VIA POLITICO – ““Now the pressure on Ukraine is one of the most difficult. Now Ukraine may find itself facing a very difficult choice. Either loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner,” Zelenskyy said, in reference to the U.S., where Trump has long been skeptical of fully backing Kyiv’s war effort.

“They will expect an answer from us,” Zelenskyy said about the peace proposal. “Although in fact I have already given it,” he added, citing the oath he took when he entered office in 2019 to defend Ukraine’s sovereignty.” (LINK)

Nov 15 2025

Prime Minister Viktor Orban Publicly Calls Out the Ukraine Corruption and Western Money Laundering Operation


Posted originally on CTH on November 14, 2025 | Sundance

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has had enough.  The European Union is consistently targeting him for his position against the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and western elements of the intelligence apparatus have been trying to undermine Orban’s government for years.

Against the most recent revelations of direct corruption connected to the government of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Orban says, “enough.”

Prime Minister Orban – “The golden illusion of Ukraine is falling apart. A wartime mafia network with countless ties to President [Zelensky has been exposed. The energy minister has already resigned, and the main suspect has fled the country.

This is the chaos into which the Brusselian elite want to pour European taxpayers’ money, where whatever isn’t shot off on the front lines ends up in the pockets of the war mafia. Madness.

Thank you, but we want no part of this. We will not send the Hungarian people’s money to Ukraine. It can be put to far better use at home: this week alone we doubled foster parents’ allowances and approved the 14th month’s pension.

Anyhow, after all this, we certainly won’t give in to the Ukrainian president’s financial demands and blackmail. It’s high time Brussels finally understood where their money is really going.” [SOURCE]

PM Orban and President Donald Trump are allies and personal friends. No doubt they both spoke about this.