If Stephen writes it (he being a former “insider”), then it should be clear to all and sundry that the Ukraine gig is up. Not sure if Nancy Nuland learns a lesson in all this or not.
BTW, I recall another person whose name has disappeared the annals of the U.S. diplomatic history: April Gillespie, then U.S. ambassador to Iraq under Saddam. She informed Saddam that the U.S. had no interest in intro Arab affairs, giving the impression that Saddam had a green light to invade Kuwait.
This Freudian slip sent her packing to South Africa as a simply consular official.
Glaspie told Saddam that the US had “no opinion” on his border dispute with Kuwait.
She DID NOT “inform Saddam” that the US had no interest in Arab affairs generally (her wording was much narrower). She also warned him to "resolve disputes peacefully."
Saying she “gave the impression that Saddam had a green light” to invade Kuwait is highly misleading.
I live a long way from North America and am not privy to all of the going-ons over there. I am only connected via Substack. Once again my heartfelt apologies, but I really do appreciate what you have written! Please continue the good work!! 👍👍
The reality of the escalating collapse of the Ukrainian military and the their defensive positions is becoming increasingly apparent. Russian boots on the ground and their absorption of Russian speaking Eastern Orthodox Christian Ukrainian territory is making EU posturing irrelevant. Current trends make the cession of territory to Russia a forgone conclusion and IMO that will be one of the results of the Trump-Putin meeting. Long-term it also brings into question US membership in the hollow shell of NATO. Why support a support an organization that subverts US strategic interests. Time to let NATO defend itself and pivot to the real threats in Asia.
Well, Zelensky is indeed USA-installed übernationalistic dictator - a kind of poor man’s Hitler ruling USA-created anti-Russia. Ukraina is USA-backed private military contractor nation. Nice to see that Americans are finally starting to see how terrible monster they have created. Unfortunately for USA this macabere creature has been unable to perform his task - to destroy Russia - and is far along the way for his own destruction. The EU, UK and Deepe State plans for a cease fire in Ukraine to save their SOB are pathetic. The West has alredy losti the war in Ukraine and the longer it takes to admit it, the deeper will be West’s geopolitical defeat.
I was, like Dmitriy Milkin, going to thank you for a realistic, logical, fact-based essay.
Given that, I wanted ask you for your views on why the EU (+UK) elected Government leaders have not been busy developing some groundwork that would support a pivot from their unrealistic, illogical, narrative-based policies regarding Ukraine and Russia to something akin to reality.
Is it the MO of a vassal that only changes when the Master does a complete flip of a binary question because they are know they are unable to take care of themselves?
Perhaps they are like someone waiting for a miracle or like Yogi Berra, who was managing the NY Mets in 1973 who were in last place, but managed to win their Division .
Yogi famously said at that time, "It's not over until it's over."
Well written Stephen, truth to fact and reality, this essay succinct, to the point is as honest a descriptor as I have read during this 3+ years conflagration Russia v NATO led the U.K and U.S in that order… sadly the U.S has allowed itself to again be played by histories greatest Mouse that Squeaks, the U.K as it strives to cling to whatever past vestige of glory and power that the stiff upper lipped crusty old and now seriously Sweaty Sphincter Twitching gentrified of all of the three sexes Male, Female and the ubiquitous omnipresent “Camp” He/She’s or She/He’s that now legally but that for so long comprised the sexual makeup of what constitutes the U.S’s greatest belligerent… The United Kingdom, England in all its now totally and completely waned Power sans past era’s and Glories..
Time to shut or put down the slobbering, all but crippled and grunting Bulldog.. time to do it and the word the greatest favour… Euthanise the f..king thing for thing resulting it’s own inbreeding it has now become.. just saying
Kia Kaha (stay strong) from New Zealand presently and since JULY wintering in Dubai
Seriously Stephen, an honest assessment of all I have read of this conflict, thank you sincerely for at leat having the moral courage to state reality.. more spo in these times we presently live and dwell, whereby many who ought know much better willingly submit to “towing’ the line… whatever that might in their deluded thinking actually consist of.. well done maalways enjoy your perspectives and views, though i have at times disagreed.. but that, when all is said ad done is what a healthy functioning society ought be able to do, debate sincerely irrespective perspectives or posit doing so without defeat or favour… as we true lover of freedom and all that entails know … Voltaire summed it best, something I believe you’ll know like the back of your hand saving me having to regurgitate here…
It seems, Stephen, that Zelensky may have missed your clear message (here and in the excellent Asia Times, where I first found your commentaries).
Here's his proposal, agreed with the Old World yesterday:
Ukraine's 5 Demands For An End to the War
No concessions on borders; no withdrawal from Donbas.
Security Guarantees: Path to NATO/EU, sustained Western military aid, no forced demilitarization
Russian Reparations: Pay hundreds of billions in damages using frozen Russian assets.
Return of abducted children & POWs: 20,000 children taken, thousands of prisoners still held.
No sanctions relief for Russia: Maintain and strengthen sanctions to prevent regrouping
As I said earlier, he knows any deal is the end of his career (as acting or actor president, anyway, but Trump is 'setting the table' for a new role as highly-paid after-dinner speaker).
PS: The idea that the big broke man in the parking lot and his gaggle of grandiose friends have any leverage is a joke, betrayed by their pathetic acceptance of Trump's mob-style extortion shakedown.
It seems to be lost on them that Alaska is the nearest America gets to Russia and the furthest to Europe.
When President Trump meets with the Polish president, I hope he'll impress upon that the presence of our troops in his country is contingent on Poland supporting our geopolitical agenda. The Polish political elites have developed an unhealthy belief that they can do whatever just because their country meets the NATO spending target. This needs to be corrected. A move to Hungary should be on the table.
As a sweetener, we can include provisions in the peace deal that address the transit of illegal immigrants into Poland from Belarus. That's a major hot-button issue here. Just today I saw a mob of angry protesters in front of the German consulate, demanding an end to the readmission of asylum seekers.
Stephen, great logic, and much of it factually true. But, unfortunately, you, and maybe Trump, and others are idealists. Zelenskyy is more of a realist. Neville Chamberlain vs Churchill. The reason that this war is likely to continue indefinitely, is that it is existential for Ukraine and Ukrainians. Putin does not want Ukrainians, except for their malleable children; he really only wants their land, resources and possibly industrial capacity if it is not destroyed. The Ukrainians who understand this will fight to the end, they have no other choice. And yes, it may go down to the last man standing. There will always be those like Stepan Bandera, and others like Kyrylo Budanov. Ultimately, Ukraine may be destroyed, and Russia weakened to the point where the Chinese come in and take what they want of Russia's far east. And there may be even worse possible outcomes. Almost certainly no happy ending. Nuclear war? WW3?
I wish you are right Bryen. But I fear that the war will last for at least another year. Half of the Ukrainian population makes a living directly or indirectly from the war. Ultranationalists have infiltrated almost all power structures. The opposition and the media that should represent it do not exist. The European political and economic elites see the continuation of the war as an existential issue. Nobody cares about the Ukrainian (or European) citizens. It will take a crushing defeat, perhaps more than one, for the Ukrainians and the Europeans to accept that they cannot dictate the terms of any peace. . I really hope I am proven wrong
Brave prediction, no one else I am aware of is prepared to call a time frame. Hopefully you are correct.
For it to be so Zelensky will have to be removed, one way or another. Corruption charges seem the most expeditious, though Azov may have a slightly different view.
The 1991 Ukraine consisted of 3 parts. The Western, which was longest under Polish dominion, and pre-1918 majority Greek-Catholic. The Central, which stretched to the South-Eastern border of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and majority Ukrainian-Orthodox population. And finally Novorossiya and Crimea which only "joined" Ukraine during the communist regime in 1922 and 1954, respectively, and are almost all Russian-speakers. At the moment, Russia has recovered Crimea and part of Novorossiya. I don't think they have any interest in the formerly Greek-Catholic Western Ukraine.
The Russia’s idea is to neutralize the security threat created by present USA-created Anti-Russian Ukraine. This can be achieved by many different ways.
There are problems with Ukraine, problems with the Baltic states, new problems with Finland and Sweden, and problems with turcophone republics in Caucasus and Central Asia. Let's see how the Alaska meet goes.
Looking at the problems Russia now has, that Israel - in a similar strategic situation - now more or less said: no more two-state solution, is very understandable.
Very realistic, fact-based and logical. Something that is almost never found in the western mass-media these days. I seriously commend you, Seymour!
If Stephen writes it (he being a former “insider”), then it should be clear to all and sundry that the Ukraine gig is up. Not sure if Nancy Nuland learns a lesson in all this or not.
you mean Victoria Nuland I think
He means deposed Queen Victoria of the Kaganate of Nulandia.
BTW, I recall another person whose name has disappeared the annals of the U.S. diplomatic history: April Gillespie, then U.S. ambassador to Iraq under Saddam. She informed Saddam that the U.S. had no interest in intro Arab affairs, giving the impression that Saddam had a green light to invade Kuwait.
This Freudian slip sent her packing to South Africa as a simply consular official.
Glaspie told Saddam that the US had “no opinion” on his border dispute with Kuwait.
She DID NOT “inform Saddam” that the US had no interest in Arab affairs generally (her wording was much narrower). She also warned him to "resolve disputes peacefully."
Saying she “gave the impression that Saddam had a green light” to invade Kuwait is highly misleading.
Meeting transcript; https://msuweb.montclair.edu/~furrg/glaspie.html
Transcript with ADST analysis; https://adst.org/2016/02/a-bum-rap-for-april-glaspie-saddam-and-the-start-of-the-iraq-war/
Where is April now?
No clue. She's about 85, and retired over 20 years ago. Last interview given ~2010.
Apologies! Yes, the illustrious Vicky!
Seymour?
Sincere apologies from me. I meant Stephen Bryen, but for some reason was thinking about Seymour Hirsch. 🫢🫢
accepted
we would never be confused in real life
Nor in anything you wrote!
I live a long way from North America and am not privy to all of the going-ons over there. I am only connected via Substack. Once again my heartfelt apologies, but I really do appreciate what you have written! Please continue the good work!! 👍👍
Thank you. Appreciated.
"Germany, which spends a lot of time acting like the big man in the parking lot"
😂
You’re right to hesitate to call the EU plan a “plan”. A better word might be “concept”, but even that word grants it more than it is due.
The reality of the escalating collapse of the Ukrainian military and the their defensive positions is becoming increasingly apparent. Russian boots on the ground and their absorption of Russian speaking Eastern Orthodox Christian Ukrainian territory is making EU posturing irrelevant. Current trends make the cession of territory to Russia a forgone conclusion and IMO that will be one of the results of the Trump-Putin meeting. Long-term it also brings into question US membership in the hollow shell of NATO. Why support a support an organization that subverts US strategic interests. Time to let NATO defend itself and pivot to the real threats in Asia.
Dick Minnis
removingthecataract.substack.com
Clearly Russian propaganda.
Well, Zelensky is indeed USA-installed übernationalistic dictator - a kind of poor man’s Hitler ruling USA-created anti-Russia. Ukraina is USA-backed private military contractor nation. Nice to see that Americans are finally starting to see how terrible monster they have created. Unfortunately for USA this macabere creature has been unable to perform his task - to destroy Russia - and is far along the way for his own destruction. The EU, UK and Deepe State plans for a cease fire in Ukraine to save their SOB are pathetic. The West has alredy losti the war in Ukraine and the longer it takes to admit it, the deeper will be West’s geopolitical defeat.
Ukraine delenda est :-)
You don't understand the motivations of my European elites. Initially, it was about
partnering with the US to plunder the Russians and obtain resources to stretch
the neoliberal rubber band for another 30 or 40 years. They evaluated it as a low-risk operation with a high probability of success.
Having failed, they attempt now faces the consequences and sees a bleak future.
In Europe, we have experienced 80 years of peace under American tutelage after
WWII, something unprecedented in our war-ridden history that nearly led us to
self-destruction in 1939. The European elites fear a return to a scenario like
that more than the devil. They fear the dismantling of post-WWII structures and
the emergence of nationalisms that would force us back to our old ways. The European
elites fear themselves much more than they fear the Russians.
That's why they are trying at all costs to keep the Yankees remain in site
and "manufacture" an enemy that will unite everyone else against them. If they
have to buy 100 Zelenskys, they'll buy them. Trump has understood this and is
taking advantage of it. He's going to get them even stool remnants in their asses.
It won't work, but those are the motivations of the European elites right now.
I was, like Dmitriy Milkin, going to thank you for a realistic, logical, fact-based essay.
Given that, I wanted ask you for your views on why the EU (+UK) elected Government leaders have not been busy developing some groundwork that would support a pivot from their unrealistic, illogical, narrative-based policies regarding Ukraine and Russia to something akin to reality.
Is it the MO of a vassal that only changes when the Master does a complete flip of a binary question because they are know they are unable to take care of themselves?
It seems to be taking them a long time to understand that the neocons have finally lost power in Washington.
Perhaps they are like someone waiting for a miracle or like Yogi Berra, who was managing the NY Mets in 1973 who were in last place, but managed to win their Division .
Yogi famously said at that time, "It's not over until it's over."
They get more and more like Comical Ali.
Well written Stephen, truth to fact and reality, this essay succinct, to the point is as honest a descriptor as I have read during this 3+ years conflagration Russia v NATO led the U.K and U.S in that order… sadly the U.S has allowed itself to again be played by histories greatest Mouse that Squeaks, the U.K as it strives to cling to whatever past vestige of glory and power that the stiff upper lipped crusty old and now seriously Sweaty Sphincter Twitching gentrified of all of the three sexes Male, Female and the ubiquitous omnipresent “Camp” He/She’s or She/He’s that now legally but that for so long comprised the sexual makeup of what constitutes the U.S’s greatest belligerent… The United Kingdom, England in all its now totally and completely waned Power sans past era’s and Glories..
Time to shut or put down the slobbering, all but crippled and grunting Bulldog.. time to do it and the word the greatest favour… Euthanise the f..king thing for thing resulting it’s own inbreeding it has now become.. just saying
Kia Kaha (stay strong) from New Zealand presently and since JULY wintering in Dubai
Thank you. Appreciated.
Seriously Stephen, an honest assessment of all I have read of this conflict, thank you sincerely for at leat having the moral courage to state reality.. more spo in these times we presently live and dwell, whereby many who ought know much better willingly submit to “towing’ the line… whatever that might in their deluded thinking actually consist of.. well done maalways enjoy your perspectives and views, though i have at times disagreed.. but that, when all is said ad done is what a healthy functioning society ought be able to do, debate sincerely irrespective perspectives or posit doing so without defeat or favour… as we true lover of freedom and all that entails know … Voltaire summed it best, something I believe you’ll know like the back of your hand saving me having to regurgitate here…
Thank you again.
Thank you for this grounded opinion. Those stolen assets... Chickens that will come home to roost one day.
Very Objective assessment of the current state of affairs in Ukraine and the fantasy echo chamber the Euro “leadership” live in.
Hopefully for the sake of their oppressed peoples, Trump collapses their echo chamber before Russia does, one way or another.
It seems, Stephen, that Zelensky may have missed your clear message (here and in the excellent Asia Times, where I first found your commentaries).
Here's his proposal, agreed with the Old World yesterday:
Ukraine's 5 Demands For An End to the War
No concessions on borders; no withdrawal from Donbas.
Security Guarantees: Path to NATO/EU, sustained Western military aid, no forced demilitarization
Russian Reparations: Pay hundreds of billions in damages using frozen Russian assets.
Return of abducted children & POWs: 20,000 children taken, thousands of prisoners still held.
No sanctions relief for Russia: Maintain and strengthen sanctions to prevent regrouping
As I said earlier, he knows any deal is the end of his career (as acting or actor president, anyway, but Trump is 'setting the table' for a new role as highly-paid after-dinner speaker).
PS: The idea that the big broke man in the parking lot and his gaggle of grandiose friends have any leverage is a joke, betrayed by their pathetic acceptance of Trump's mob-style extortion shakedown.
It seems to be lost on them that Alaska is the nearest America gets to Russia and the furthest to Europe.
Trump says he's just 'setting the table' in Alaska
Who's on the menu, and who's going to carve?
When President Trump meets with the Polish president, I hope he'll impress upon that the presence of our troops in his country is contingent on Poland supporting our geopolitical agenda. The Polish political elites have developed an unhealthy belief that they can do whatever just because their country meets the NATO spending target. This needs to be corrected. A move to Hungary should be on the table.
As a sweetener, we can include provisions in the peace deal that address the transit of illegal immigrants into Poland from Belarus. That's a major hot-button issue here. Just today I saw a mob of angry protesters in front of the German consulate, demanding an end to the readmission of asylum seekers.
Stephen, great logic, and much of it factually true. But, unfortunately, you, and maybe Trump, and others are idealists. Zelenskyy is more of a realist. Neville Chamberlain vs Churchill. The reason that this war is likely to continue indefinitely, is that it is existential for Ukraine and Ukrainians. Putin does not want Ukrainians, except for their malleable children; he really only wants their land, resources and possibly industrial capacity if it is not destroyed. The Ukrainians who understand this will fight to the end, they have no other choice. And yes, it may go down to the last man standing. There will always be those like Stepan Bandera, and others like Kyrylo Budanov. Ultimately, Ukraine may be destroyed, and Russia weakened to the point where the Chinese come in and take what they want of Russia's far east. And there may be even worse possible outcomes. Almost certainly no happy ending. Nuclear war? WW3?
The war will end, and rather soon. You are wrong.
I wish you are right Bryen. But I fear that the war will last for at least another year. Half of the Ukrainian population makes a living directly or indirectly from the war. Ultranationalists have infiltrated almost all power structures. The opposition and the media that should represent it do not exist. The European political and economic elites see the continuation of the war as an existential issue. Nobody cares about the Ukrainian (or European) citizens. It will take a crushing defeat, perhaps more than one, for the Ukrainians and the Europeans to accept that they cannot dictate the terms of any peace. . I really hope I am proven wrong
Brave prediction, no one else I am aware of is prepared to call a time frame. Hopefully you are correct.
For it to be so Zelensky will have to be removed, one way or another. Corruption charges seem the most expeditious, though Azov may have a slightly different view.
The 1991 Ukraine consisted of 3 parts. The Western, which was longest under Polish dominion, and pre-1918 majority Greek-Catholic. The Central, which stretched to the South-Eastern border of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and majority Ukrainian-Orthodox population. And finally Novorossiya and Crimea which only "joined" Ukraine during the communist regime in 1922 and 1954, respectively, and are almost all Russian-speakers. At the moment, Russia has recovered Crimea and part of Novorossiya. I don't think they have any interest in the formerly Greek-Catholic Western Ukraine.
The Russia’s idea is to neutralize the security threat created by present USA-created Anti-Russian Ukraine. This can be achieved by many different ways.
There are problems with Ukraine, problems with the Baltic states, new problems with Finland and Sweden, and problems with turcophone republics in Caucasus and Central Asia. Let's see how the Alaska meet goes.
Looking at the problems Russia now has, that Israel - in a similar strategic situation - now more or less said: no more two-state solution, is very understandable.
Zelensky's 'realism' only extends to understanding that in any 'deal' he loses his job.
Bandera et al Ukrainian militants ended up assasinated. As will Budanov et al. The Russians have a long memory and do not forgive their enemies.
...and there was that stuff with Britain and France in Crimea some time ago, and their support for the Whites in Ukraine a bit later.
It’s no wonder Zelenskyy has not been in Ukraine for some time—hiding out in Europe. Who is he trying to avoid in Kiev?
What is your goal in pushing this brazen falsehood?
Excellent article, thank you.
2015 Stormfront called. They want their white supremacist, derogatory pejorative term for black people back.