I am talking about the current hostilities. The only power Ukraine has is whether or not to continue the fight. And I am in no way condoning what Russia did. But it's reality.

Old McDonald said:

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BusterAg said:

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Lying about that makes Putin look weak. I guess he is afraid of Trump, and that is why he admitted as much.

---

by most measures, russian attacks have intensified since trump became president. 59% YoY increase in civilians killed or injured jan-apr 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. june and july 2025 hit the highest monthly casualty totals since 2022.

putin has no fear of trump whatsoever. he knows he can flatter him, bull**** through a meeting, and continue on his merry way bombing ukraine.

---

Then, why lie about the fact that you ARE afraid of Trump and choose to APPEAR to be afraid of Trump if you really ARE NOT afraid of Trump.

I'm sure that KGB dictators love to appear weak on the global stage just after getting buzzed by a bomber that is lightyears ahead of the tech you have available in your military.

It seems like the leader of the second or third most powerful military in the world would prefer to to appear to be weak if he is not.

HTownAg98 said:

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BusterAg said:

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HTownAg98 said:

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johnnyblaze36 said:

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FlyRod said:

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The Soviets were experts at taking advantage of weak American presidents (Carter). Reagan was a master of turning that around. It's disturbing that another American president has decided to take the Carter path even as 2025 Russia is significantly weaker than 1970s Soviet Union. Makes little sense in the abstract.

---

I too remember the days of Jimmy Carter having a B-52 bomber flown right over the head of the enemy on the way into discuss diplomacy that only the other worst president in history allowed to happen and did nothing about except send my (and maybe yours if you have a job) tax dollars repeatedly to another country of which neither should involve us.

Absolute clown post.

---

I'm sure Putin was quaking in his loafers getting buzzed by aircraft he knows will never be used against him.

---

Question:

Is Putin dumb enough to use nukes on Ukraine? Would he "never" do that.

Because you throw the word "never" around pretty loosely.

---

He's not that dumb, and that's why he hasn't done it. He also knows that we don't have the stomach to start air strikes in Ukraine against Russian forces. So yeah, those aircraft are never getting near Russia unless they're doing high altitude surveillance to see what's going on.

---

Why would it be dumb to use Nukes on Ukraine. Maybe he afraid a B-2 might drop a bomb on his arse? Maybe not a bad idea to remind him of that?

You guys are confusing me.

Has Trump not done enough to slow down the war in Ukraine? Is it bad that Trump focused on domestic policy first when he first took office? Should he have put more focus on that in expense of all of the gains he has made with illegal aliens?

Or, has Trump done too much. Should we be totally ignoring the situation due to domestic issues, that Trump should be focused on?

I feel like I am getting mixed messages here.

BusterAg said:

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Then, why lie about the fact that you ARE afraid of Trump and choose to APPEAR to be afraid of Trump if you really ARE NOT afraid of Trump.

I'm sure that KGB dictators love to appear weak on the global stage just after getting buzzed by a bomber that is lightyears ahead of the tech you have available in your military.

It seems like the leader of the second or third most powerful military in the world would prefer to to appear to be weak if he is not.

---

for the simple reason that trump responds well to flattery, no matter who it comes from.

"this would never have happened if i were president" is a talking point trump and his surrogates have repeated so many times that he likely believes it now. it behooves putin to let him think it's true if it means trump lets him off the hook for escalating hostilities against ukraine.

he doesn't give a **** about us buzzing him with warplanes we'll never use against him. the world watched him invade ukraine and did little to stop it. pay attention to his actions, not his words.

BusterAg said:

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Old McDonald said:

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Rockdoc said:

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If Trump had been president this meeting wouldn't even be necessary and you know it.

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trump is president and russian aggression against ukraine has only intensified since he was inaugurated. it's time to dispense with this talking point.

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Putin disagrees with you. Putin literally said that had Trump been President, there would not have been a war.

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Yeah, good point. A ruthless dictator responsible for tens of thousands of deaths would never lie/try to butter up an egomaniac. Should definitely take that at face value.

Old McDonald said:

---

BusterAg said:

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Then, why lie about the fact that you ARE afraid of Trump and choose to APPEAR to be afraid of Trump if you really ARE NOT afraid of Trump.

I'm sure that KGB dictators love to appear weak on the global stage just after getting buzzed by a bomber that is lightyears ahead of the tech you have available in your military.

It seems like the leader of the second or third most powerful military in the world would prefer to to appear to be weak if he is not.

---

for the simple reason that trump responds well to flattery, no matter who it comes from.

"this would never have happened if i were president" is a talking point trump and his surrogates have repeated so many times that he likely believes it now. it behooves putin to let him think it's true if it means trump lets him off the hook for escalating hostilities against ukraine.

he doesn't give a **** about us buzzing him with warplanes we'll never use against him. the world watched him invade ukraine and did little to stop it. pay attention to his actions, not his words.

---

Why didn't Putin invade Ukraine during Trump's first term?

Ellis Wyatt said:

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What can Trump do that you won't complain about? What Would Biden Do?

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Don't.



LOL

The summit was an absolute and unequivocal success. Trump got exactly what he wanted. Only TDS sufferers cannot see this…

Trump: "Vladimir Putin said something -- one of the most interesting things. He said 'your election was rigged because you have mail in voting.' He said, 'mail in voting, every election -- no country has mail in voting. It's impossible to have mail in voting and have honest elections.' And he said that to me because we talked about 2020. He said, 'you won that election by so much.'"

BusterAg said:

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HTownAg98 said:

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BusterAg said:

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HTownAg98 said:

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johnnyblaze36 said:

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FlyRod said:

---

The Soviets were experts at taking advantage of weak American presidents (Carter). Reagan was a master of turning that around. It's disturbing that another American president has decided to take the Carter path even as 2025 Russia is significantly weaker than 1970s Soviet Union. Makes little sense in the abstract.

---

I too remember the days of Jimmy Carter having a B-52 bomber flown right over the head of the enemy on the way into discuss diplomacy that only the other worst president in history allowed to happen and did nothing about except send my (and maybe yours if you have a job) tax dollars repeatedly to another country of which neither should involve us.

Absolute clown post.

---

I'm sure Putin was quaking in his loafers getting buzzed by aircraft he knows will never be used against him.

---

Question:

Is Putin dumb enough to use nukes on Ukraine? Would he "never" do that.

Because you throw the word "never" around pretty loosely.

---

He's not that dumb, and that's why he hasn't done it. He also knows that we don't have the stomach to start air strikes in Ukraine against Russian forces. So yeah, those aircraft are never getting near Russia unless they're doing high altitude surveillance to see what's going on.

---

Why would it be dumb to use Nukes on Ukraine. Maybe he afraid a B-2 might drop a bomb on his arse? Maybe not a bad idea to remind him of that?

---

Because he knows that's a red line and would be the end to Russia as we know it. It was a reminder of something he has no intention of doing. It was pointless.

FIDO_Ags said:

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You can take that question and shove it. This is a board where we discuss opinions. You know I'm all over these Ukraine threads so try harder or get ignored.

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I would like to hear how Witkoff is in over his head. But run along and research your next talking point to throw in the mix.

will25u said:

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BREAKING: President Trump says Russia and Ukraine will go directly to a peace agreement instead of a ceasefire.

— Leading Report (@LeadingReport) August 16, 2025

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Not holding my breath. The Russians and not reliable.

Why does Putin look like a cabbage patch kid?

Ervin Burrell said:

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BusterAg said:

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Old McDonald said:

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Rockdoc said:

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If Trump had been president this meeting wouldn't even be necessary and you know it.

---

trump is president and russian aggression against ukraine has only intensified since he was inaugurated. it's time to dispense with this talking point.

---

Putin disagrees with you. Putin literally said that had Trump been President, there would not have been a war.

---

Yeah, good point. A ruthless dictator responsible for tens of thousands of deaths would never lie/try to butter up an egomaniac. Should definitely take that at face value.

---

By admitting that he is too scared of Trump to have started a war? Does that sound like a ruthless dictator?

I mean, why didn't he just grovel on his knees, or maybe literally kiss Trump's ass, if image isn't all that important to him.

Everyone knows that Putin loves to appear weak on a global stage, right?

BusterAg said:

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Ervin Burrell said:

---

BusterAg said:

---

Old McDonald said:

---

Rockdoc said:

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If Trump had been president this meeting wouldn't even be necessary and you know it.

---

trump is president and russian aggression against ukraine has only intensified since he was inaugurated. it's time to dispense with this talking point.

---

Putin disagrees with you. Putin literally said that had Trump been President, there would not have been a war.

---

Yeah, good point. A ruthless dictator responsible for tens of thousands of deaths would never lie/try to butter up an egomaniac. Should definitely take that at face value.

---

By admitting that he is too scared of Trump to have started a war? Does that sound like a ruthless dictator?

I mean, why didn't he just grovel on his knees, or maybe literally kiss Trump's ass, if image isn't all that important to him.

Everyone knows that Putin loves to appear weak on a global stage, right?

---

You're right. ZERO chance that one of the most evil men on planet earth was lying and feeding the ego of an egomaniac to further his own gains.

FIDO_Ags said:

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You people?

Maybe I just think that arming Ukraine was another way to end the war and end Putin's power in Russia.

---

Russia should never invaded but they took the opportunity because the US was weak. They saw our absolute weakness in Afghanistan and took advantage of the latest weak Dem US President and shoved it up Ukrainians butt and our butt.

Your concern is grossly misplaced.

Prosperdick said:

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Old McDonald said:

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BusterAg said:

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Then, why lie about the fact that you ARE afraid of Trump and choose to APPEAR to be afraid of Trump if you really ARE NOT afraid of Trump.

I'm sure that KGB dictators love to appear weak on the global stage just after getting buzzed by a bomber that is lightyears ahead of the tech you have available in your military.

It seems like the leader of the second or third most powerful military in the world would prefer to to appear to be weak if he is not.

---

for the simple reason that trump responds well to flattery, no matter who it comes from.

"this would never have happened if i were president" is a talking point trump and his surrogates have repeated so many times that he likely believes it now. it behooves putin to let him think it's true if it means trump lets him off the hook for escalating hostilities against ukraine.

he doesn't give a **** about us buzzing him with warplanes we'll never use against him. the world watched him invade ukraine and did little to stop it. pay attention to his actions, not his words.

---

Why didn't Putin invade Ukraine during Trump's first term?

---

They won't answer this one. They didn't because they knew Trump wouldn't just sit back and let it happen like the Democrats. The Democrats wanted war with Ukraine and Russia. I remember them forecasting it and projecting that it was coming, with great eagerness. After Trump got elected and their impeachment failed, they needed the war at least in part to cover their tracks from all the corruption and graft they had been giving/receiving.

Never believe one thing that a Democrat says about Ukraine. They've proven over and over again that they are either wrong, or complicit.

aginlakeway said:

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will25u said:

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BREAKING: President Trump says Russia and Ukraine will go directly to a peace agreement instead of a ceasefire.

— Leading Report (@LeadingReport) August 16, 2025

---

This seems like progress.

---

You want to elaborate what a peace deal is without a ceasefire?

Same ole Walrus, fertilize the soil with other people's blood just for the sake of maintaining war around the world

It’s a mistake for Ukraine to agree to a ceasefire. If there’s a ceasefire and lines are drawn at battlefronts, those ceasefire lines become the new Russia-Ukraine border, ceding significant territory to Russia. pic.twitter.com/DZSooOFBo6

— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) August 15, 2025

Bill O'Reilly carving up Bolton

🚨NEW: Bill O'Reilly *GOES BALLISTIC* on John Bolton after his attack on Trump-Putin Alaska Summit🚨

"The man has nothing! Not one thing!"

"He’d rather have death and destruction — in Ukraine — than for Donald Trump to succeed!"

"Is he a traitor!? Maybe!"

"This guy is… pic.twitter.com/CFUsvNpO8P

— Jason Cohen 🇺🇸 (@JasonJournoDC) August 12, 2025

BusterAg said:

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Ellis Wyatt said:

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And that is not based in reality. Short of giving them nukes, Ukraine will never, ever, in a thousand years drive Russia out. It is impossible.

We live in the real world. That is fantasyland. But I guess I understand why you're upset at Trump. He can't do the impossible. Shame on him.

---

You are bad at history. Kiev had been around for 2,000 years, and they have driven the Russians out of Ukraine multiple times.

Maybe no way in our lifetimes, but never, ever, is a long, long time.

---

Also Kiev was the first capital of Russia.
Was Kiev a capital of Russia?
Maybe Ukraine should tell Putin to step down and turn Russia over to Ukraine.
Putin is and always has wanted to rebuild the Soviet Union.
I am not suggesting I have the answers to the current conflict but do understand how evil Putin is and would trust his word or promises.

docb said:

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aginlakeway said:

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will25u said:

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BREAKING: President Trump says Russia and Ukraine will go directly to a peace agreement instead of a ceasefire.

— Leading Report (@LeadingReport) August 16, 2025

---

This seems like progress.

---

You want to elaborate what a peace deal is without a ceasefire?

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No. Just expressing my opinion that this seems like progress.

BusterAg said:

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Ellis Wyatt said:

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And that is not based in reality. Short of giving them nukes, Ukraine will never, ever, in a thousand years drive Russia out. It is impossible.

We live in the real world. That is fantasyland. But I guess I understand why you're upset at Trump. He can't do the impossible. Shame on him.

---

You are bad at history. Kiev had been around for 2,000 years, and they have driven the Russians out of Ukraine multiple times.

Maybe no way in our lifetimes, but never, ever, is a long, long time.

---

History would tell you today's Kyiv is about 1500 years old and was at various times occupied by slavics, mongols, Norse, etc.

And it would be a neat trick for them to have driven out the "Russians" in olden times given there was little distinction amongst the Rus populations. In fact the entire concept of a distinct Ukraine sovereignty is indeed a recent "invention", which is why this blue and yellow flag waving and Putin is a mass murdering invader of sovereign lands is laughable.

So I think the other poster is right, Ukraine and Russia must co-exist and any border between them will always be a source of conflict as the border is an artificial one separating the same people from themselves.

aginlakeway said:

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docb said:

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aginlakeway said:

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will25u said:

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BREAKING: President Trump says Russia and Ukraine will go directly to a peace agreement instead of a ceasefire.

— Leading Report (@LeadingReport) August 16, 2025

---

This seems like progress.

---

You want to elaborate what a peace deal is without a ceasefire?

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No. Just expressing my opinion that this seems like progress.

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Ah, I just figured you understood what that meant since you posted it. I have no idea what a peace deal is without a ceasefire? Maybe it is progress?

Prosperdick said:

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Why didn't Putin invade Ukraine during Trump's first term?

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many reasons that don't include "he was scared of trump" (obviously untrue after the last seven months).

first, russia had already invaded ukraine in 2014 under obama, annexing crimea. from 2015-2020, putin consolidated control there, built a land bridge through donbas, and fortified his military position. the invasion was not abandoned, it was being prepared.

second, putin benefited under trump without needing escalation. nato was weakened by trump's constant threats to withdraw, and american support for ukraine was frozen in 2019 during the impeachment scandal. why invade when your opponent is undermining themselves?

third, timing mattered. covid, global oil prices, and the need to re-equip the russian army delayed plans. by 2021, europe was more dependent on russian gas than ever. biden immediately recommitted to nato. putin struck before western unity could fully recover.

docb said:

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aginlakeway said:

---

docb said:

---

aginlakeway said:

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will25u said:

---

BREAKING: President Trump says Russia and Ukraine will go directly to a peace agreement instead of a ceasefire.

— Leading Report (@LeadingReport) August 16, 2025

---

This seems like progress.

---

You want to elaborate what a peace deal is without a ceasefire?

---

No. Just expressing my opinion that this seems like progress.

---

Ah, I just figured you understood what that meant since you posted it. I have no idea what a peace deal is without a ceasefire? Maybe it is progress?

---

I hope so! I assume you hope it's progress too.

FireAg said:

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My guess is that multiple folks inside his negotiation team believe that there is a foothold to get something done, so while I think we are far from "done deal" champagne-popping celebrations, I think, just based on what all of the key players are saying, that there's enough there to have optimism…

And, assuming a deal is finally reached, I am fully confident that one side's experts will praise it as to why it was all a great deal, and another side will poo-poo it as a colossal failure…

For me, I will be content if peace and stability can be brokered on the ground…real, tangible peace and stability…

Not sure I really care who is seen as the 'winner' and the 'loser'…

This is a bad conflict for all sides, and we need to find the off switch…enough throwing people into a meat grinder for no real gains either way…

---

If there is no clear "winner" or "loser" it will probably be the best deal that can be achieved...

Trump demanded NATO pay their fair share and Germany to stop stupidly subsidizing Russia by buying their oil and gas.

Our military wasn't a laughingstock like it was under Biden and Putin knew it.

With all the impeachments sounds like the perfect time to invade. Funny that Trump wanted Ukraine to expose the crimes Biden issued a pardon to cover his crackhead son.

Bottom line there were zero wars during Trump's first term despite the liberals screeching he would start WW3.

Prosperdick said:

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Trump demanded NATO pay their fair share and Germany to stop stupidly subsidizing Russia by buying their oil and gas.

Our military wasn't a laughingstock like it was under Biden and Putin knew it.

With all the impeachments sounds like the perfect time to invade. Funny that Trump wanted Ukraine to expose the crimes Biden issued a pardon to cover his crackhead son.

Bottom line there were zero wars during Trump's first term despite the liberals screeching he would start WW3.

---

your argument is muddled and relies on slogans, not facts.

trump did pressure allies to increase defense spending, but he also repeatedly threatened to withdraw the us. that undermined nato's deterrence credibility, which putin exploited. biden, in contrast, rebuilt nato unity after 2021, which is why europe could mount a coordinated response.

under trump, us troop levels in europe were reduced, and he tried to pull out of syria abruptly, which ceded ground to russia. under biden, nato coordinated the largest military aid transfer in history. the idea that america's military is a "laughingstock" is just partisan rhetoric, not analysis.

if impeachment was "the perfect time to invade," why didn't putin? it wasn't because trump was a deterrent, it was because he was still preparing militarily and waiting for conditions to favor him (energy leverage, weakened western unity, and covid disruptions.)

It's pathetic how many people on both sides are already declaring the talks a success or failure. They're embarrassing themselves. The smart ones are watching, waiting, and rooting for the death and destruction to end.

Old McDonald said:

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it was because he was still preparing militarily and waiting for conditions to favor him (energy leverage, weakened western unity, and covid disruptions.)

---

Wrong. The Ukes held their own without much early support. The Russian were proven to be a paper tiger by a county run by a lowly comedian.

Bolton is an idiot, why even give this guy any FaceTime … he is washed up, Bolton go sit in your living room, watch CNN and change your depends diapers …. This world doesn't need people like you

rynning said:

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It's pathetic how many people on both sides are already declaring the talks a success or failure. They're embarrassing themselves. The smart ones are watching, waiting, and rooting for the death and destruction to end.

---

By all accounts it may not take. If not try again after sanctions are placed into effect.

Biden could have created the sanctions necessary to end the war long ago but Biden is a proven coward.

Ervin Burrell said:

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BusterAg said:

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Ervin Burrell said:

---

BusterAg said:

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Old McDonald said:

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Rockdoc said:

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If Trump had been president this meeting wouldn't even be necessary and you know it.

---

trump is president and russian aggression against ukraine has only intensified since he was inaugurated. it's time to dispense with this talking point.

---

Putin disagrees with you. Putin literally said that had Trump been President, there would not have been a war.

---

Yeah, good point. A ruthless dictator responsible for tens of thousands of deaths would never lie/try to butter up an egomaniac. Should definitely take that at face value.

---

By admitting that he is too scared of Trump to have started a war? Does that sound like a ruthless dictator?

I mean, why didn't he just grovel on his knees, or maybe literally kiss Trump's ass, if image isn't all that important to him.

Everyone knows that Putin loves to appear weak on a global stage, right?

---

You're right. ZERO chance that one of the most evil men on planet earth was lying and feeding the ego of an egomaniac to further his own gains.

---

Just weird for a ruthless tyrant that has no fear of the US to bend the knee so publicly. It's like Putin has no pride or something. I'm sure this was a really easy thing for him to do.

Ellis Wyatt said:

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Russia chose to leave. It was a quagmire, like when we were there.

I'm fine with that continuing in Ukraine, but they've lost territory they have no ability to take back. That wasn't really what was happening in Afghanistan with Russia or us. Zelenskyy has nothing he can do to make Russia stop. He is 100% dependent on someone from the outside putting a stip to it. Thats not bargaining power.

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Last I checked Putin is not Immortal , The US could definitely arm and assist Ukraine and Sanction Russia to the point that Russia would eventually be forced to leave Trump doesn't want to do this his goal is to carve up Ukraine like Thanksgiving Turkey and let Putin take all he wants because Trump really likes Ductators and Oligarchs

Again
Afghanistan says hello for everyone out there who says Russian can't be pushed out of the country

Old McDonald said:

---

Prosperdick said:

---

Why didn't Putin invade Ukraine during Trump's first term?

---

many reasons that don't include "he was scared of trump" (obviously untrue after the last seven months).

first, russia had already invaded ukraine in 2014 under obama, annexing crimea. from 2015-2020, putin consolidated control there, built a land bridge through donbas, and fortified his military position. the invasion was not abandoned, it was being prepared.

second, putin benefited under trump without needing escalation. nato was weakened by trump's constant threats to withdraw, and american support for ukraine was frozen in 2019 during the impeachment scandal. why invade when your opponent is undermining themselves?

third, timing mattered. covid, global oil prices, and the need to re-equip the russian army delayed plans. by 2021, europe was more dependent on russian gas than ever. biden immediately recommitted to nato. putin struck before western unity could fully recover.

---

If Putin built a land bridge through Donbas, he would have had to have invaded Ukraine to do so...and he didn't do that during the period from 2015-2020.