TRADUCTOR said:

---

Zelensky says no election this year either. Only one side in this war has a leader elected by the people.

---

Zelenskyy won the election with 74% of the vote.

I am honestly starting to wonder if the Kiev regime might now be used as a study of 'see, Mr. Trump, wouldn't it be nice to use some of our rent-a-mob regime change operations, this time?' By the CIA-USAID types around DC. "Ya know, we could do something about this obstinate guy, just give us the word."

Hopefully not, though.

All the criticism of Trump from idiots that voted for Biden...Sit this one out

J. Walter Weatherman said:

---

TRADUCTOR said:

---

Zelensky says no election this year either. Only one side in this war has a leader elected by the people.

---

Zelenskyy won the election with 74% of the vote.

---

That was a long time ago, when he ran on a peace platform. According to state media in Ukraine last month:

Quote:

---

Most Ukrainians still support President Volodymyr Zelensky after almost three years of Russian invasion, although his approval rating appears to have fallen in 2024, according to the results of a survey published on Tuesday by a specialist institute in Kyiv.

The Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) conducted a telephone survey of 2,000 people living in Ukrainian-controlled territory between 2 and 17 December, around a month after Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election, which reignited speculation about possible peace talks with Moscow.

According to the results, at the end of 2024, 52% of Ukrainians polled said they 'trusted' Volodymyr Zelensky, a sharp drop from the end of 2023 (77%).

This reflects a loss of support for the Ukrainian president after almost three years of high-intensity warfare.

Current support for the Ukrainian head of state, in office since 2019, is more marked in the West (60%) and the Centre (52%), regions relatively spared by the war, than in the East (only 42%) and the South (46%), where most of the fighting is taking place.

According to the poll, almost 4 out of 10 Ukrainians (39%) now say they 'do not trust' Zelensky, almost double the figure for December 2023 (22%).

---

Lincoln, Roosevelt, and others have stood for re-election in the midst of significant wars. Support will get less and less as well, with the bolus of US funding drying up (this was providing most of their civil service and other government functions).

This is not about what is best for humanity at all. It's rich people games. Hell there are Russian oligarchs invested in Space X. Don't believe that this is what is best for the people (Ukrainian or American).

nortex97 said:

---

J. Walter Weatherman said:

---

TRADUCTOR said:

---

Zelensky says no election this year either. Only one side in this war has a leader elected by the people.

---

Zelenskyy won the election with 74% of the vote.

---

That was a long time ago, when he ran on a peace platform. According to state media in Ukraine last month:

Quote:

---

Most Ukrainians still support President Volodymyr Zelensky after almost three years of Russian invasion, although his approval rating appears to have fallen in 2024, according to the results of a survey published on Tuesday by a specialist institute in Kyiv.

The Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) conducted a telephone survey of 2,000 people living in Ukrainian-controlled territory between 2 and 17 December, around a month after Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election, which reignited speculation about possible peace talks with Moscow.

According to the results, at the end of 2024, 52% of Ukrainians polled said they 'trusted' Volodymyr Zelensky, a sharp drop from the end of 2023 (77%).

This reflects a loss of support for the Ukrainian president after almost three years of high-intensity warfare.

Current support for the Ukrainian head of state, in office since 2019, is more marked in the West (60%) and the Centre (52%), regions relatively spared by the war, than in the East (only 42%) and the South (46%), where most of the fighting is taking place.

According to the poll, almost 4 out of 10 Ukrainians (39%) now say they 'do not trust' Zelensky, almost double the figure for December 2023 (22%).

---

Lincoln, Roosevelt, and others have stood for re-election in the midst of significant wars. Support will get less and less as well, with the bolus of US funding drying up (this was providing most of their civil service and other government functions).

---

He tried to achieve peace but Putin was not interested.

Ukraine's constitution doesn't allow them to hold elections while they are under martial law, which they are under because Putin is currently trying to take over their country. Would you like them to violate their constitution?

v1rotate92 said:

---

All the criticism of Trump from idiots that voted for Biden...Sit this one out

---

I voted for Trump and will criticize him when he needs it.

I think it's clear he would like them to just be Russian

from the beginning of the war...

when Ukraine would not send its young men to fight...

something seemed off about the whole situation

It's much more complicated than your summary point but I think you probably recognize that.

If not, whatever, but yes, elections could be negotiated to happen this year. Zelensky says it can't happen though, which is…indicative of his self-awareness as to his real popularity, which Musk basically referenced when he said 'sure' about the former's comments.

I have no idea who would be allowed to run/win. Some martial law lifting of political speech/parties/limits would have to happen of course.

Wow.

Again. Not another penny to this ungrateful coke head. https://t.co/4mTyQOtOOM

— Catturd ™ (@catturd2) February 13, 2025

Starting to lean further toward my hypothesis posted earlier this am about what Zelensky is being used for now.

nortex97 said:

---

Wow.

Again. Not another penny to this ungrateful coke head. https://t.co/4mTyQOtOOM

— Catturd ™ (@catturd2) February 13, 2025

Starting to lean further toward my hypothesis posted earlier this am about what Zelensky is being used for now.

---

This is the bromance I was told about?

Popcorn.gif

nortex97 said:

---

It's much more complicated than your summary point but I think you probably recognize that.

If not, whatever, but yes, elections could be negotiated to happen this year. Zelensky says it can't happen though, which is…indicative of his self-awareness as to his real popularity, which Musk basically referenced when he said 'sure' about the former's comments.

I have no idea who would be allowed to run/win. Some martial law lifting of political speech/parties/limits would have to happen of course.

---

It's really not that complicated. The easiest way for elections to happen would be for Putin to end his invasion and end the need for Ukraine to be under martial law. Weird that option never gets mentioned by the "other perspectives."

Didn't someone who's always wrong promise a Trump-Zelensky bromance?

WolfCall said:

---

WildcatAg said:

---

Peace for our time.

Thank you President Trump.

---

---

You are so naive…..this war is on pause for 3 years until Putin starts a bigger one.

ShotOver said:

---

WolfCall said:

---

WildcatAg said:

---

Peace for our time.

Thank you President Trump.

---

---

You are so naive…..this war is on pause for 3 years until Putin starts a bigger one.

---

This means nothing. When a dem gets in office you can almost guarantee the world's evil war hawks will take advantage of the weak void of leadership. Including our own war hawks.

Tom Kazansky 2012 said:

---

AgLA06 said:

---

Teslag said:

---

Putin about to get told how high to jump by Trump

---

This is heading for Trump to make some deal with Putin none of us will like and isn't in our best interest, yet most on here will pretend isn't that bad when it happens.

---

Yeah the war hawks will hate it because they will be dead ass wrong thinking Russia would be beaten down by Ukraine with our billions.

The rest of us that live on planet earth who have been saying supporting this conflict is dumb will see this for what it is:

as the inevitable end we predicted.

---

Perhaps you don't remember, but a lot of folks thought we were wasting a butt load of money supporting Afghanistan in the 80's, but the Russians admitted defeat in the end and it changed the world for the better. Of course, because we refused to spend a few million rebuilding the infrastructure, Afghanistan became a hell hole for terrorists. One of our great failures that cost American lives.

One of the great things that the US has accumulated over the years is soft power. Power built on good will, friendship, and mutual interests. Why is the universal business language English? The world currency the US dollar? What has allowed us to have bases in over 80 countries? Russian and China have massive military power. China has a massive economy. But the US wields the real power. Soft power is the answer.

My point being, the one thing I fear, which most on here will dismiss out of hand, is the loss of US credibility overseas. As that erodes, I expect our soft power will diminish and other countries like China will fill the void.

The negotiating tactic of threatening nations (especially allies and friends) with ultimatums and demands is a losing strategy long term. It's not sustainable. You can be America first but still have robust foreign relationships without making threats in a public setting.

Mr. Fingerbottom said:

---

Didn't someone who's always wrong promise a Trump-Zelensky bromance?

---

Yes. And it's still happening. And remember, we weren't the ones who kept saying this war would be over in "weeks" a year ago.

The real lesson of Afghanistan is that partnering with Osama Bin Laden et al. because 'muh, Russia bad' was a mistake. Who today in America would have given a **** if the Russians ran it up through the present day, and no American soldiers were ever deployed there, regardless?

No small 'investment' was going to make that disgusting culture work like a modern nation state, just as 40+ million a week to the Taliban isn't doing that today.

I expect European defense spending to drastically increase.

This could help our defense industry.

I also expect European welfare and handouts to drastically decrease to be able to afford this.

This could help Europe regain their health and hopefully protect their sovereignty both from Russia and immigrants who look to take advantage.

Hopefully this is a wakeup call that isn't too late.

Otherwise, Trump's gamble may accelerate the destruction of Europe.

aggiedent said:

---

Tom Kazansky 2012 said:

---

AgLA06 said:

---

Teslag said:

---

Putin about to get told how high to jump by Trump

---

This is heading for Trump to make some deal with Putin none of us will like and isn't in our best interest, yet most on here will pretend isn't that bad when it happens.

---

Yeah the war hawks will hate it because they will be dead ass wrong thinking Russia would be beaten down by Ukraine with our billions.

The rest of us that live on planet earth who have been saying supporting this conflict is dumb will see this for what it is:

as the inevitable end we predicted.

---

Perhaps you don't remember, but a lot of folks thought we were wasting a butt load of money supporting Afghanistan in the 80's, but the Russians admitted defeat in the end and it changed the world for the better. Of course, because we refused to spend a few million rebuilding the infrastructure, Afghanistan became a hell hole for terrorists. One of our great failures that cost American lives.

One of the great things that the US has accumulated over the years is soft power. Power built on good will, friendship, and mutual interests. Why is the universal business language English? The world currency the US dollar? What has allowed us to have bases in over 80 countries? Russian and China have massive military power. China has a massive economy. But the US wields the real power. Soft power is the answer.

My point being, the one thing I fear, which most on here will dismiss out of hand, is the loss of US credibility overseas. As that erodes, I expect our soft power will diminish and other countries like China will fill the void.

The negotiating tactic of threatening nations (especially allies and friends) with ultimatums and demands is a losing strategy long term. It's not sustainable. You can be America first but still have robust foreign relationships without making threats in a public setting.

---

Changed the world for the better? By ushering in the Taliban? You've got to be kidding. Also, we tried nation building for 20 years and it failed miserably. You think spending a few million after Russia departed would've made a difference? Laughable take. Do you miss the time when McCain, Bush & Romney held influence?

"Weeks maybe"

What did Vitali K do?!?!

Tom Kazansky 2012 said:

---

ShotOver said:

---

WolfCall said:

---

WildcatAg said:

---

Peace for our time.

Thank you President Trump.

---

---

You are so naive…..this war is on pause for 3 years until Putin starts a bigger one.

---

This means nothing. When a dem gets in office you can almost guarantee the world's evil war hawks will take advantage of the weak void of leadership. Including our own war hawks.

---

Pretty sure strong international leadership and an America First policy are mutually exclusive. It doesn't matter if you're avoiding involvement because you fear escalation or because, "Not my country, not my problem," you're still avoiding involvement and telling those, "evil warhawks," they have a green light. "We're not going to get involved in other countries' disputes because we've got our own problems," isn't exactly strong leadership that's going to stop a country like Russia or China from starting one.

And what would Trump have done differently in Ukraine to stop Russia in 2022? Told them not to or else? Or else... what? American boots on the ground? Giving Ukraine a **** ton of weapons? Literally all of the things MAGA has spent the last 3 years crying about Biden doing or (incorrectly) saying he's going to do?

Let's say Putin calls Trump's bluff and tells him to **** off. You gonna support sending even more assistance to Ukraine? Strong leadership only works if you to actually do things to lead and are willing to back up threats with the exact actions MAGA has spent a long time crying and complaining about, so I'm really curious what's going to be different. Is the same group of people crying about escalation and risking Russian nukes and demanding an appeasement strategy going to do an about face and support sending even more arms to Ukraine?

Zelensky says Ukraine will not accept a peace arrangement without his involvement.



https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/ukraine-russia-nato-war-negotiations-02-13-25-intl/index.html

Quote:

---

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine will not accept a peace deal struck between the United States and Russia without Kyiv's involvement.

"As an independent country we simply cannot accept any agreements without us. And I articulate this very clearly to our partners. We will not accept any bilateral negotiations on Ukraine without us," Zelensky said Thursday during a visit to a nuclear power plant in western Ukraine.

---

ABATTBQ11 said:

---

Tom Kazansky 2012 said:

---

ShotOver said:

---

WolfCall said:

---

WildcatAg said:

---

Peace for our time.

Thank you President Trump.

---

---

You are so naive…..this war is on pause for 3 years until Putin starts a bigger one.

---

This means nothing. When a dem gets in office you can almost guarantee the world's evil war hawks will take advantage of the weak void of leadership. Including our own war hawks.

---

Pretty sure strong international leadership and an America First policy are mutually exclusive. It doesn't matter if you're avoiding involvement because you fear escalation or because, "Not my country, not my problem," you're still avoiding involvement and telling those, "evil warhawks," they have a green light. "We're not going to get involved in other countries' disputes because we've got our own problems," isn't exactly strong leadership that's going to stop a country like Russia or China from starting one.

And what would Trump have done differently in Ukraine to stop Russia in 2022? Told them not to or else? Or else... what? American boots on the ground? Giving Ukraine a **** ton of weapons? Literally all of the things MAGA has spent the last 3 years crying about Biden doing or (incorrectly) saying he's doing to do?

Let's say Putin calls Trump's bluff and tells him to **** off. You gonna support sending even more assistance to Ukraine? Strong leadership only works if you to actually do things to lead and are willing to back up threats with the exact actions MAGA has spent a long time crying and complaining about, so I'm really curious what's going to be different. Is the same group of people crying about escalation and risking Russian nukes and demanding an appeasement strategy going to do an about face and support sending even more arms to Ukraine?

---

Counter point : Trumps first term says your statement is wrong.

93MarineHorn said:

---

aggiedent said:

---

Tom Kazansky 2012 said:

---

AgLA06 said:

---

Teslag said:

---

Putin about to get told how high to jump by Trump

---

This is heading for Trump to make some deal with Putin none of us will like and isn't in our best interest, yet most on here will pretend isn't that bad when it happens.

---

Yeah the war hawks will hate it because they will be dead ass wrong thinking Russia would be beaten down by Ukraine with our billions.

The rest of us that live on planet earth who have been saying supporting this conflict is dumb will see this for what it is:

as the inevitable end we predicted.

---

Perhaps you don't remember, but a lot of folks thought we were wasting a butt load of money supporting Afghanistan in the 80's, but the Russians admitted defeat in the end and it changed the world for the better. Of course, because we refused to spend a few million rebuilding the infrastructure, Afghanistan became a hell hole for terrorists. One of our great failures that cost American lives.

One of the great things that the US has accumulated over the years is soft power. Power built on good will, friendship, and mutual interests. Why is the universal business language English? The world currency the US dollar? What has allowed us to have bases in over 80 countries? Russian and China have massive military power. China has a massive economy. But the US wields the real power. Soft power is the answer.

My point being, the one thing I fear, which most on here will dismiss out of hand, is the loss of US credibility overseas. As that erodes, I expect our soft power will diminish and other countries like China will fill the void.

The negotiating tactic of threatening nations (especially allies and friends) with ultimatums and demands is a losing strategy long term. It's not sustainable. You can be America first but still have robust foreign relationships without making threats in a public setting.

---

Changed the world for the better? By ushering in the Taliban? You've got to be kidding. Also, we tried nation building for 20 years and it failed miserably. You think spending a few million after Russia departed would've made a difference? Laughable take. Do you miss the time when McCain, Bush & Romney held influence?

---

Yeah, changed the world for the better. It was a precursor to the collapse of the USSR, which brought in greater global security and allowed a lot of our dollars to be redirected to better use. Perhaps one of the best things the US did in the later half of the 20th century.

fc2112 said:

---

Zelensky says Ukraine will not accept a peace arrangement without his involvement.



https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/ukraine-russia-nato-war-negotiations-02-13-25-intl/index.html

Quote:

---

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine will not accept a peace deal struck between the United States and Russia without Kyiv's involvement.

"As an independent country we simply cannot accept any agreements without us. And I articulate this very clearly to our partners. We will not accept any bilateral negotiations on Ukraine without us," Zelensky said Thursday during a visit to a nuclear power plant in western Ukraine.

---

---

Dude is a clown.

Stonegateag85 said:

---

What did Vitali K do?!?!

---

He's apparently a bit of a 'populist' mayor, from what I see. I really don't keep track of their internal politics.

As with Russia, there really aren't 'minority' parties/opinions allowed (he's a fellow 'servant of the people' member), and keeping track of dissent/other opinions in a country run by state media from the outside is practically impossible, or at least beyond my interest level. After they tortured and killed Gonzo Lira I sort of tuned out of that completely, and just tune in for 'admissions against interests.'

aggiedent said:

---

Tom Kazansky 2012 said:

---

AgLA06 said:

---

Teslag said:

---

Putin about to get told how high to jump by Trump

---

This is heading for Trump to make some deal with Putin none of us will like and isn't in our best interest, yet most on here will pretend isn't that bad when it happens.

---

Yeah the war hawks will hate it because they will be dead ass wrong thinking Russia would be beaten down by Ukraine with our billions.

The rest of us that live on planet earth who have been saying supporting this conflict is dumb will see this for what it is:

as the inevitable end we predicted.

---

Perhaps you don't remember, but a lot of folks thought we were wasting a butt load of money supporting Afghanistan in the 80's, but the Russians admitted defeat in the end and it changed the world for the better. Of course, because we refused to spend a few million rebuilding the infrastructure, Afghanistan became a hell hole for terrorists. One of our great failures that cost American lives.

One of the great things that the US has accumulated over the years is soft power. Power built on good will, friendship, and mutual interests. Why is the universal business language English? The world currency the US dollar? What has allowed us to have bases in over 80 countries? Russian and China have massive military power. China has a massive economy. But the US wields the real power. Soft power is the answer.

My point being, the one thing I fear, which most on here will dismiss out of hand, is the loss of US credibility overseas. As that erodes, I expect our soft power will diminish and other countries like China will fill the void.

The negotiating tactic of threatening nations (especially allies and friends) with ultimatums and demands is a losing strategy long term. It's not sustainable. You can be America first but still have robust foreign relationships without making threats in a public setting.

---

Well said, but most folk here equate intimidation and aggression with masculine energy. They compensate for shortcomings by showing aggression.

The Trump Hotel Moscow that Putin just authorized in exchange for the US agreeing to not allowing Ukraine in NATO BEFORE the negotiation even starts, is going to be epic and will result in so many lib tears.

txwxman said:

---

The Trump Hotel Moscow that Putin just authorized in exchange for the US agreeing to not allowing Ukraine in NATO BEFORE the negotiation even starts, is going to be epic and will result in so many lib tears.

---

Will be a drop in the bucket compared to Trump resort, hotel, and casino Gaza.

Also, the negotiations have already begun. Ukraine just isn't a part of them, apart from being what is negotiated over.

Tom Kazansky 2012 said:

---

ABATTBQ11 said:

---

Tom Kazansky 2012 said:

---

ShotOver said:

---

WolfCall said:

---

WildcatAg said:

---

Peace for our time.

Thank you President Trump.

---

---

You are so naive…..this war is on pause for 3 years until Putin starts a bigger one.

---

This means nothing. When a dem gets in office you can almost guarantee the world's evil war hawks will take advantage of the weak void of leadership. Including our own war hawks.

---

Pretty sure strong international leadership and an America First policy are mutually exclusive. It doesn't matter if you're avoiding involvement because you fear escalation or because, "Not my country, not my problem," you're still avoiding involvement and telling those, "evil warhawks," they have a green light. "We're not going to get involved in other countries' disputes because we've got our own problems," isn't exactly strong leadership that's going to stop a country like Russia or China from starting one.

And what would Trump have done differently in Ukraine to stop Russia in 2022? Told them not to or else? Or else... what? American boots on the ground? Giving Ukraine a **** ton of weapons? Literally all of the things MAGA has spent the last 3 years crying about Biden doing or (incorrectly) saying he's doing to do?

Let's say Putin calls Trump's bluff and tells him to **** off. You gonna support sending even more assistance to Ukraine? Strong leadership only works if you to actually do things to lead and are willing to back up threats with the exact actions MAGA has spent a long time crying and complaining about, so I'm really curious what's going to be different. Is the same group of people crying about escalation and risking Russian nukes and demanding an appeasement strategy going to do an about face and support sending even more arms to Ukraine?

---

Counter point : Trumps first term says your statement is wrong.

---

Counterpoint: No, it doesn't.

aggiedent said:

---

93MarineHorn said:

---

aggiedent said:

---

Tom Kazansky 2012 said:

---

AgLA06 said:

---

Teslag said:

---

Putin about to get told how high to jump by Trump

---

This is heading for Trump to make some deal with Putin none of us will like and isn't in our best interest, yet most on here will pretend isn't that bad when it happens.

---

Yeah the war hawks will hate it because they will be dead ass wrong thinking Russia would be beaten down by Ukraine with our billions.

The rest of us that live on planet earth who have been saying supporting this conflict is dumb will see this for what it is:

as the inevitable end we predicted.

---

Perhaps you don't remember, but a lot of folks thought we were wasting a butt load of money supporting Afghanistan in the 80's, but the Russians admitted defeat in the end and it changed the world for the better. Of course, because we refused to spend a few million rebuilding the infrastructure, Afghanistan became a hell hole for terrorists. One of our great failures that cost American lives.

One of the great things that the US has accumulated over the years is soft power. Power built on good will, friendship, and mutual interests. Why is the universal business language English? The world currency the US dollar? What has allowed us to have bases in over 80 countries? Russian and China have massive military power. China has a massive economy. But the US wields the real power. Soft power is the answer.

My point being, the one thing I fear, which most on here will dismiss out of hand, is the loss of US credibility overseas. As that erodes, I expect our soft power will diminish and other countries like China will fill the void.

The negotiating tactic of threatening nations (especially allies and friends) with ultimatums and demands is a losing strategy long term. It's not sustainable. You can be America first but still have robust foreign relationships without making threats in a public setting.

---

Changed the world for the better? By ushering in the Taliban? You've got to be kidding. Also, we tried nation building for 20 years and it failed miserably. You think spending a few million after Russia departed would've made a difference? Laughable take. Do you miss the time when McCain, Bush & Romney held influence?

---

Yeah, changed the world for the better. It was a precursor to the collapse of the USSR, which brought in greater global security and allowed a lot of our dollars to be redirected to better use. Perhaps one of the best things the US did in the later half of the 20th century.

---

I'll concede the Soviets' Afghan failure accelerated their collapse. But the collapse was coming regardless, imo. And what was left in the wake of their withdrawal was a brutal regime that gave safe harbor to terrorists that ultimately killed thousands of Americans and set off two decades of the futile "war on terror". That regime is back and causing lots of trouble for Pakistan and probably the West soon.

TRADUCTOR said:

---

Zelensky says no election this year either. Only one side in this war has a leader elected by the people.

---

How does Zelensky hold an election in the 20% of Ukraine that is Russian-occupied?