Russia Attacks Ukraine - 23 Feb 2022 #15

[Stella123]

A Trump-Putin pact is emerging – and Europe is its target​

Rafael Behr

US betrayal of Ukraine is the rehearsal for a grander bargain with Moscow and an assault on continental solidarity

Wed 12 Mar 2025 06.00 GMT

“He’s doing excellent things,” says a firebrand politician on the panel, before listing White House actions that have belittled Volodymyr Zelenskyy and weakened his battlefield position – military aid suspended; satellite communications obstructed; intelligence withheld. “Do we support this?” It is a rhetorical question.

“We support it all. Absolutely,” the celebrity host responds. “We are thrilled by everything Trump is doing.”

Such approval might not be out of place on polemical rightwing channels in the US, but these exchanges weren’t broadcast to American audiences. The show’s anchor is Olga Skabeyeva, one of Vladimir Putin’s most dependable propagandists. To hear the highest pitch of praise for Trump’s bullying of Ukraine you need to watch Russia’s state-controlled Channel One.

[…]

The proposed model, unnamed but also unhidden, is partition. Washington gets access to Ukrainian mineral resources. Moscow gets a fat slice of Ukraine. Russia and America reset diplomatic relations and renew commercial ties without any of the old fuss around rule of law and human rights – an oligarch entente.

[…]

This is the subtext of negotiations to end the war that Putin started and that Trump wants to end without regard for justice. They are rehearsing a shared agenda through the proxy of partitioning Ukraine, exploring the scope of a partnership that has a deeper foundation than America’s former allies want to admit. It might not come to fruition. Trump is easily distracted, but also easily bought and Russia has put a predatory joint venture on the table. Europe is the prey.

A Trump-Putin pact is emerging – and Europe is its target | Rafael Behr

US betrayal of Ukraine is the rehearsal for a grander bargain with Moscow and an assault on continental solidarity, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr

www.theguardian.com

That is probably the deal for the ceasefire. Ukraine had to agree to the minerals deal. Russia will want agreement that it keeps territories to agree to a ceasefire (JMO). If the ceasefire is then permanent, Ukraine doesn't need military aid from the US after all. A win for Trump and a loss of territory for Ukraine.

If Ukraine doesn't agree to give up the territories for a ceasefire then perhaps the Us will stop military aid again.

Businessmen are notoriously cut-throat IMO MOO

On the other hand maybe Putin would stick to such a deal if he is benefitting from good relations and perks with the US. But only as long as Trump is around. After that he'll make up stories and excuses again. JMO

An even bigger deal might be Trump changing rules so he stays elected - just as Putin has done. MOO.

 

[JennieM]

Ukraine ceasefire: what’s in the proposed deal – and what’s not​

Key points of 30-day ceasefire agreed by US and Ukraine, with ball ‘now in Russia’s court’

A comprehensive, month-long ceasefire​

A resumption of US military aid and intelligence sharing for Ukraine​

No security guarantees for Ukraine​

No critical minerals deal for Trump, yet...​

Prisoner swaps​

Ball now in ‘Russia’s court’​

Ukraine ceasefire: what’s in the proposed deal – and what’s not

Key points of 30-day ceasefire agreed by US and Ukraine, with ball ‘now in Russia’s court’

www.theguardian.com

 

[Stella123]

"European Parliament reminds Russia of compliance with Geneva convention after POW executions

The European Parliament (EP) has strongly condemned the executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian troops.

"[The EP] strongly condemns the execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian forces; calls for the EU, its Member States and international partners to increase pressure on Russia to comply with its international obligations, particularly the Geneva Convention, and allow international organisations access to prisoners," according to a resolution in support of Ukraine, which was voted in the European Parliament on Wednesday.

The EP also condemned "devastating impact of Russia’s war on children; calls for increased EU support for children's education, healthcare, mental health services, and for child protection, including trauma recovery and safe learning environments."

Ukraine war latest: Trump says US officials going to Russia now to discuss ceasefire

The US President said a peace deal was now ‘up to Russia’, but Moscow sources said the agreement was ‘difficult to accept’

www.independent.co.uk

 

[Stella123]

I don't think we'll hear anything about Putin's reaction today. If US people were going there today, they'll probably have full meetings tomorrow. JMO

 

[UK Girl]

The majority of Ukrainians do not find it completely unacceptable to give up territory and nato membership in exchange for ending the war? Isn't this democracy?

Not really no tbh, It is simply giving into Russia.

 

[Stella123]

Very unpleasant news here. And note Putin is wearing army fatigues like Zelensky - copying? JMO Also we don't know how true the reports of how many were captured are MOO

"
19.25 GMT

Putin says captured Ukrainian soldiers in Kursk will be treated as 'terrorists'​

Russia’s chief of general staff, Valery Gerasimov, said his forces had captured about 430 Ukrainian soldiers in the Kursk region, state news agency Tass reports.

Gerasimov, in a meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin at a command post in Kursk, said:

The Ukrainian military, seeing futility of further resistance, started surrendering. Four hundred and thirty fighters were captured.

Putin said the captured fighters should be “treated as terrorists, in accordance with the laws of the Russian Federation,” Agence-France-Presse reports.

Putin’s comments suggest the captured soldiers could face trials in Russian courts and be jailed for decades.

‘We have people going to Russia right now,’ says Trump as Zelenskyy hopes for ‘strong steps’ if Russia rejects ceasefire – Europe live

Ukraine president says Kyiv will not ‘recognise any territory occupied by Russians’

www.theguardian.com

 

[Stella123]

"Russia's intelligence service blew up two teenagers it had recruited to carry out a terrorist attack in the western city of Ivano-Frankivsk on the evening of March 11, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported on March 12."

"According to law enforcement, the recruited agents were two teenagers aged 15 and 17 who sought quick money on Telegram channels. Russian intelligence services allegedly recruited them online and offered payment for carrying out a series of terror attacks in the city."
"The teenagers were allegedly heading to a designated location to place one of the explosive devices when the Russian intelligence service activated the explosives in their package."

Russian intelligence recruited teenagers for terrorist attack in western Ukraine, SBU claims

According to law enforcement, the recruited agents were two teenagers aged 15 and 17 who sought quick money on Telegram channels.

kyivindependent.com

 

[UK Girl]

Very unpleasant news here. And note Putin is wearing army fatigues like Zelensky - copying? JMO Also we don't know how true the reports of how many were captured are MOO

"
19.25 GMT

Putin says captured Ukrainian soldiers in Kursk will be treated as 'terrorists'​

Russia’s chief of general staff, Valery Gerasimov, said his forces had captured about 430 Ukrainian soldiers in the Kursk region, state news agency Tass reports.

Gerasimov, in a meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin at a command post in Kursk, said:



Putin said the captured fighters should be “treated as terrorists, in accordance with the laws of the Russian Federation,” Agence-France-Presse reports.

Putin’s comments suggest the captured soldiers could face trials in Russian courts and be jailed for decades.

‘We have people going to Russia right now,’ says Trump as Zelenskyy hopes for ‘strong steps’ if Russia rejects ceasefire – Europe live

Ukraine president says Kyiv will not ‘recognise any territory occupied by Russians’

www.theguardian.com

Then Ukraine should start doing the same to theirs but this doesn't really sound like someone who wants the war to end.

 

[UK Girl]

"Russia's intelligence service blew up two teenagers it had recruited to carry out a terrorist attack in the western city of Ivano-Frankivsk on the evening of March 11, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported on March 12."

"According to law enforcement, the recruited agents were two teenagers aged 15 and 17 who sought quick money on Telegram channels. Russian intelligence services allegedly recruited them online and offered payment for carrying out a series of terror attacks in the city."
"The teenagers were allegedly heading to a designated location to place one of the explosive devices when the Russian intelligence service activated the explosives in their package."

Russian intelligence recruited teenagers for terrorist attack in western Ukraine, SBU claims

According to law enforcement, the recruited agents were two teenagers aged 15 and 17 who sought quick money on Telegram channels.

kyivindependent.com

Barbaric animals tbh

 

[Stunned]

"I had somebody that didn't seem to want peace"

Yeah, Putin!

Exactly!

 

[Stella123]

Then Ukraine should start doing the same to theirs but this doesn't really sound like someone who wants the war to end.

Russia can't call them terrorists - if there is a war between the two countries then they are prisoners of war and should be treated as per the Geneva convention. Usual twisting of rules by Russia. If Putin invaded Ukraine and doesn't class Russia as terrorists, then how can Ukrainians on Russian land be classed as terrorists? But then Putin re-writes history doesn't he? Claiming he is de-nazifying Ukraine etc MOO

It seems no coincidence to me that this is announced when Ukraine is asking for exchange of "prisoners". JMO

 

[Stunned]

I don't think we'll hear anything about Putin's reaction today. If US people were going there today, they'll probably have full meetings tomorrow. JMO

What's another day to them? IMO

 

[Stella123]

Ukrainian news mentions nothing about soldiers surrendering

"Forbes: Part of Ukrainian forces withdraw from Kursk Oblast amid intensifying Russian offensive

After holding territories in Russia’s Kursk Oblast since August, Ukrainian forces are seem to conduct an organized withdrawal as Russian troops advance with superior numbers and effective drone warfare against supply lines.

LINK: Forbes: Part of Ukrainian forces withdraw from Kursk Oblast amid intensifying Russian offensive - Euromaidan Press

Also reiterated here

" President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a briefing on March 12 that Ukrainian forces continue to fulfill tasks in Kursk Oblast, while the command is “preserving the maximum of lives of our soldiers.”

LINK: Ukraine struggles to hold on in Kursk Oblast as Russia strikes back before peace talks

 

[Stella123]

Those links are from Euromaidan Press and Kiev Independent - not sure why they didn't unfurl.

 

[Stella123]

"Here’s a recap of the latest developments:

• US envoys are expected to hold talks with Vladimir Putin by the end of the week. The White House’s Middle East envoy and close Trump ally, Steve Witkoff, is expected to travel to Moscow this week for a meeting with the Russian leader. The White House said US national security adviser Mike Waltz spoke to his Russian counterpart on Wednesday.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/mar/12/ukraine-war-live-updates-russia-ceasefire-putin-trump-zelenskyy-update#top-of-blog

So the talks are now "by the end of the week". While Russia is ramping up its offensive everywhere and particularly in Kursk - presumably so there can be no negotiation over land swap if they get Kursk back JMO

 

[Stella123]

DBM

 

[Stella123]

"Analysis: Putin's Kursk message won't go unnoticed in Kyiv or Washington​

By Ivor Bennett, Moscow correspondent

Vladimir Putin's visit to the Kursk region carries a lot of significance. Because in the three years since launching Russia's war in Ukraine, he's rarely gone near the front.

But his forces' apparent seizure of the key town of Sudzha is clearly a proud moment.

Ukraine's crossborder incursion into Russia's Kursk region (way back in August) was hugely embarrassing for the Kremlin. Even more so, the fact it's gone on this long.

But now that the invading forces are on the verge of finally being expelled, Russia's president wants to make the most of it.

The commander-in-chief was the commander-in-camouflage, donning military fatigues on his visit to his forces' regional HQ.

And there was no talk of a ceasefire, despite the apparent pressure from the US to agree to one. In fact, quite the opposite.

"Our task in the near future, in the shortest time possible, is to finally defeat the enemy entrenched in the Kursk region, and to completely liberate the territory," he said, addressing the top brass.

Instead of pausing the fighting, it sounds like Putin wants to press home Russia's advantage. And his message won't go unnoticed in Kyiv or Washington.

Ukraine war latest: Trump teases 'destination unknown' - as US says he and Putin needed for Ukraine talks breakthrough

US secretary of state Marco Rubio says there will be no breakthrough at Ukraine peace talks due to take place in Turkey until Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin meet. Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticised Putin for shunning the talks. Listen to the Daily podcast as you scroll.

news.sky.com

From the same link

Ukraine vows to fight in Kursk 'for as long as necessary'​

We've just showed you Vladimir Putin visiting Kursk as his forces claim strong advances in the region.

We've now heard from Ukraine after Russia's suggestion that Ukrainian forces in the region are surrounded.

The country's top army commander said troops will continue its operation in Kursk for "as long as appropriate and necessary" and added that fighting has continued in and around the town of Sudzha.

He also accused Russia of trying to oust Kyiv from the Kursk region and shift fighting into Ukrainian border territories.

 

[Stella123]

Speaking to our chief presenter Mark Austin, Sergei Markov said: "Russia is afraid that the ceasefire period would be used by NATO countries for the full militarisation of the Ukrainian society."

He claimed British and French troops are "part of the war" and said peacekeepers are usually from neutral countries.

"All troops from European countries would be regarded as occupation troops, and all of them would be killed by Russian soldiers who would come to liberate Ukraine," Markov said.

Ukraine war latest: Trump teases 'destination unknown' - as US says he and Putin needed for Ukraine talks breakthrough

US secretary of state Marco Rubio says there will be no breakthrough at Ukraine peace talks due to take place in Turkey until Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin meet. Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticised Putin for shunning the talks. Listen to the Daily podcast as you scroll.

news.sky.com

 

[Stella123]

Footage shows Ukrainians forced to flee centre of key Kursk town - as more evidence emerges of Russian gains​

By Freya Gibson, junior OSINT producer

More now on the situation in Kursk - which we've been reporting on throughout the day.

Videos geolocated by Sky News show Russian forces swiftly advancing on the key town of Sudzha on its southern border.

More than 10 videos show Russian soldiers destroying bridges and recapturing villages, before moving into Sudzha and planting a Russian flag in the centre.

Ukraine took control of Sudzha during the Kursk offensive in August 2024 in just under two weeks.

Now, in a matter of days, Russian forces have reclaimed the centre of the town.

The map below shows the locations of Russian troops in and around Sudzha that Sky News has verified. The orange dots show Russian troops and advances, and the grey dots show the former positions of Ukrainian troops.

Planet Labs
Ukrainian troops seen fleeing

Sudzha is situated just north of the border to Ukraine in Kursk and had a pre-invasion population of more than 5,000 people.

The footage we found shows Russian forces closing in on the town by striking surrounding villages and Ukrainian military equipment.

On 11 March, footage showed large groups of Ukrainian troops pulling back from the centre of Sudzha on foot.


A day later, Russian forces could be seen posing in the town, holding the flags of the Russian Federation and the Wagner Group.

Ukraine war latest: Trump teases 'destination unknown' - as US says he and Putin needed for Ukraine talks breakthrough

US secretary of state Marco Rubio says there will be no breakthrough at Ukraine peace talks due to take place in Turkey until Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin meet. Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticised Putin for shunning the talks. Listen to the Daily podcast as you scroll.

news.sky.com

 

[UK Girl]

"Russia's intelligence service blew up two teenagers it had recruited to carry out a terrorist attack in the western city of Ivano-Frankivsk on the evening of March 11, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported on March 12."

"According to law enforcement, the recruited agents were two teenagers aged 15 and 17 who sought quick money on Telegram channels. Russian intelligence services allegedly recruited them online and offered payment for carrying out a series of terror attacks in the city."
"The teenagers were allegedly heading to a designated location to place one of the explosive devices when the Russian intelligence service activated the explosives in their package."

Russian intelligence recruited teenagers for terrorist attack in western Ukraine, SBU claims

According to law enforcement, the recruited agents were two teenagers aged 15 and 17 who sought quick money on Telegram channels.

kyivindependent.com

So one side you have a side that was illegally invaded agreeing to a peacefire. The team that is supposedly the hardest one to deal with. Meanwhile Russia is pulling this crap. I guess the idea is to get as much as possible before they have to stop Well if they do