Russia Attacks Ukraine - 23 Feb 2022 #15

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We are happy to announce the signing, with our American partners, of a Memorandum of Intent, which paves the way for an Economic Partnership Agreement and the establishment of the Investment Fund for the Reconstruction of Ukraine.

This document is the result of the professional work of the negotiating teams, which recently completed another round of technical discussions in Washington.Ahead is the finalization of the text of the Agreement and its signing—and then, ratification by parliaments.

In the meantime, we continue to work on the Agreement itself. There is a lot to do, but the current pace and significant progress give reason to expect that the document will be very beneficial for both countries.

The U.S. has provided Ukraine, Russia, and Europe with "outlines of a durable and lasting peace," U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said on April 17.

The U.S. and Ukraine have signed a memorandum of understanding on a minerals deal that is yet to be finalized, Deputy Prime Minister and Economic Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said on April 17. White House officials have previously underscored the importance of the deal for progressing with peace talks.

Ukraine and the U.S. may sign a minerals deal on April 24, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters on April 17.

"We have a minerals deal, which I guess is going to be signed on Thursday, next Thursday," Trump said during a press conference with Italy Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the White House.

"And I assume they’re going to live up to the deal," he added.
 
APR 17, 2025
Zelensky made the comment after being asked about Trump’s remarks during a press conference in Kyiv.

“Excuse me, but this is a murder. This strike went to the (city) center, it did not go to the front line,” he said. “We cannot find excuses when you hit the city center with missiles, not (with) just one (missile), and if it's not just one (missile), it's not a mistake.”

Zelensky also reacted to the comments made by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who publicly condemned the strike. “There was a reaction from Secretary of State Rubio, and his reaction was clear. He condemned it, and we are grateful for this reaction,” Zelensky said.

The resolution passed despite U.S. opposition, with nine countries voting against it – the United States, Russia, Belarus, Eritrea, Congo, Mali, Nicaragua, Niger, and Sudan.

Earlier on Feb. 24, the U.S. voted against a UN General Assembly resolution that reaffirmed Ukraine’s territorial integrity and named Russia an aggressor.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff of spreading Russian propaganda and overstepping his authority by discussing Ukrainian territory in back-channel peace talks with Moscow.

“I believe Mr. Witkoff has adopted the strategy of the Russian side,” Zelensky said. “Consciously or not, he is spreading Russian narratives. Either way, it does not help. And I do not see any mandate for him to speak about Ukrainian territories. These lands belong to our people, to our nation, and to the future generations of Ukrainians.”

Russia may be preparing new attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure before and after Orthodox Easter, celebrated on April 20, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 17, citing information from Ukrainian intelligence.

Despite fears and Russian attacks, Ukraine managed to go through the winter without blackouts and preserve the power system, Zelensky said, praising the energy workers.

In recent days, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has reportedly proposed to U.S. President Donald Trump giving Russia unoccupied Ukrainian territory that Ukraine has full control of as the fastest way to secure a peace deal. President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected this idea as an unacceptable “red line.”

“Every day, we read the news, watch all the live broadcasts from America, from the White House, everything that happens,” said Artur, who was born and raised in Zaporizhzhia. He declined to share his last name, citing privacy concerns for his family while walking downtown with his wife, Ina, and four-year-old son on a Sunday afternoon.

“I think this is the number one topic now,” he said. “We hope that they (foreigners) will hear us, the people who live here, and hear that we want to remain Ukraine.”
 

The Guardian

Germany will not invite Russia and Belarus to second world war commemoration​


The ambassadors of Russia and Belarus will not be invited to the German parliament’s commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the end of the second world war over concerns they could “exploit” the event for anti-Ukraine propaganda
 
I had a meeting with U.S. Congressman and Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus @RepBrianFitz. The key topics discussed were efforts to establish a dignified and lasting peace, the U.S. proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire, and security guarantees for Ukraine.

We are grateful for the United States’ support for Ukraine – for the support of many American hearts that feel Russian evil must not prevail.

Brian Fitzpatrick has planned a trip to the front lines to meet with our warriors. This is deeply appreciated. Thank you for your support.

I spoke for the second time today with the President of France @EmmanuelMacron.

I am grateful to Emmanuel for his leadership and for today’s work in Paris by our representatives – Ukraine, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States.

It is important that we hear each other, refine and clarify our positions, and work for the sake of real security of Ukraine and all our Europe.

We coordinated further contacts and meetings. The duration of peace will directly depend on the justice of positions in diplomacy and the effectiveness of the security architecture. Thank you to everyone who stands with us.
 
White House officials have previously underscored the importance of the deal for progressing with peace talks.

The art of the (minerals) deal. :(


President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff of spreading Russian propaganda and overstepping his authority by discussing Ukrainian territory in back-channel peace talks with Moscow.

“I believe Mr. Witkoff has adopted the strategy of the Russian side,” Zelensky said. “Consciously or not, he is spreading Russian narratives. Either way, it does not help. And I do not see any mandate for him to speak about Ukrainian territories. These lands belong to our people, to our nation, and to the future generations of Ukrainians.”

And then the US continues with the same old strategy of "give up your land" (and, of course, your minerals). :(

imo
 
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"US president Donald Trump will walk away from trying to broker a Russia-Ukraine peace deal within days unless there are clear signs that a deal can be done, US secretary of state Marco Rubio said on Friday.

Rubio said in Paris, after meeting European and Ukrainian leaders:

We’re not going to continue with this endeavour for weeks and months on end.
So we need to determine very quickly now, and I’m talking about a matter of days whether or not this is doable in the next few weeks. If it is we’re in. If it’s not, then we have other priorities to focus on as well.


According to Reuters, Rubio said Trump was still interested in a deal but was willing to move on if there were no immediate signs of progress."

 
"US president Donald Trump will walk away from trying to broker a Russia-Ukraine peace deal within days unless there are clear signs that a deal can be done, US secretary of state Marco Rubio said on Friday.

Rubio said in Paris, after meeting European and Ukrainian leaders:

We’re not going to continue with this endeavour for weeks and months on end.
So we need to determine very quickly now, and I’m talking about a matter of days whether or not this is doable in the next few weeks. If it is we’re in. If it’s not, then we have other priorities to focus on as well.


According to Reuters, Rubio said Trump was still interested in a deal but was willing to move on if there were no immediate signs of progress."

Ukraine might be better off with the U.S./Trump out of the picture. It looks like the minerals deal is back on. I don’t like the idea of any deal made with Trump. If he doesn’t do what has been agreed to what’s Zelensky going to do?


The US treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, added: “We’re still working on the details.” He said the latest version ran to 80 pages and was “substantially what we’d agree on previously”. “That’s what we will be signing,” he declared.
<snip>

It says Ukraine’s prime minister, Denys Shmyhal, will visit Washington next week to hold final “technical talks” with Bessent. They are expected to complete discussions on a “reconstruction investment fund”, the memo adds.

The deal would need to be ratified by Ukraine’s parliament, Ukraine’s deputy minister of economy said on Friday.
 
Ukraine might be better off with the U.S./Trump out of the picture. It looks like the minerals deal is back on. I don’t like the idea of any deal made with Trump. If he doesn’t do what has been agreed to what’s Zelensky going to do?


The US treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, added: “We’re still working on the details.” He said the latest version ran to 80 pages and was “substantially what we’d agree on previously”. “That’s what we will be signing,” he declared.
<snip>

It says Ukraine’s prime minister, Denys Shmyhal, will visit Washington next week to hold final “technical talks” with Bessent. They are expected to complete discussions on a “reconstruction investment fund”, the memo adds.

The deal would need to be ratified by Ukraine’s parliament, Ukraine’s deputy minister of economy said on Friday.

I wonder what Bessent means by "substantially what we’d agree on previously". As far as I recall, Zelenskyy wasn't prepared to sign anything without assurances of peace-keeping forces. And the US wasn't prepared to offer those.

And this part of the article is interesting (as far as the signed letter of intent) ...

Meanwhile, key details of the minerals deal remain unclear, including whether Kyiv has agreed to a White House demand that it “pays back” the cost of earlier military assistance.
Landa said he did not expect Kyiv to accept that previous “non-refundable military aid” was now “debt”. “That’s not only unfair and unrealistic, but may also negatively affect the full global financial system,” he said.


I feel a bit more comfortable that the deal would need to be ratified by Ukraine’s parliament. Many minds weighing in on whether the deal is suitable for Ukraine or not, in their opinion. Maybe the parliament will veto it.
 
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My opinion is that nabbing Ukkraine land and minerals is still part of the plan.
I hope Ukraine doesn't get tricked into anything that they end up regretting.

I hope they don't sign anything with the US. I understand that they need help in restoring Ukraine ($$$) but Trump is only out for whatever he can get for himself and his oligarch cronies.

They absolutely cannot let the US be in control of the restoration fund - the place where the restoration funds are held - otherwise for sure Ukraine will get screwed.

There is no faith in the US Govt actually wanting to help anyone else any more.

imo
 
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I feel a bit more comfortable that the deal would need to be ratified by Ukraine’s parliament. Many minds weighing in on whether the deal is suitable for Ukraine or not, in their opinion. Maybe the parliament will veto it.
Yes, that made me feel better too. I’m sure Zelensky is glad that the decision isn’t his to make. I’m sure he’s been warned about Trump and he’s experienced him first hand. Ugh.
 
APR 18, 2025
Delegations from Ukraine, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany have reached an agreement that a complete and unconditional ceasefire should be the first stage on the path to sustainable peace in Ukraine, according to Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian delegation, led by Yermak and including Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, held meetings in Paris with US officials and representatives of the “coalition of the willing” states on 17 April.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on 17 April that Russian officials are increasing their threatening rhetoric toward European nations in what appears to be a calculated effort to prevent support for Ukraine.

According to the ISW, Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Maria Zakharova claimed on 17 April that Russia would consider any missile strike using German Taurus missiles against Russian territory as “Germany’s direct participation in the war in Ukraine.”

Japan signed an agreement with Ukraine on April 18 to provide the country with a loan of 471.9 billion Japanese yen ($3 billion) covered by Russian assets.

The sum comes as part of the G7's Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration for Ukraine (ERA) program, which aims to provide Kyiv with $50 billion for reconstruction and defense needs.

The loan will be repaid by proceeds from some $300 billion in Russian sovereign assets immobilized on G7 members' accounts.

President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on April 18 imposing sanctions on Russian individuals and entities, including actors, singers, athletes, and companies involved in military production, according to the Presidential Office.

The new sanctions target 39 individuals and 60 legal entities, some based in Russia and China. The measures include asset freezes, trade restrictions, bans on property acquisition, termination of licenses and permits, and transit prohibitions.

The text emphasizes the United States' respect for Ukraine's EU integration efforts and obligations to international financial institutions, noting that the minerals deal will not conflict with Kyiv's European path.

The clash between Washington's earlier demands and a critical raw materials partnership signed between Brussels and Kyiv in 2021 has been one of the key sticking points in the talks.
 
Devastating attack on Kharkiv using cluster munitions this Good Friday, one of the holiest days in the Christian calendar

At least 87 people were injured in this latest Russian strike. Rescue workers from Luhansk Oblast also work at the strike site

Ukrainian soldiers defending the Kharkiv front line received a special Easter delivery: traditional holiday cakes flown in by drones typically used for combat missions The Pasqadron initiative, launched by the Khartiia Brigade in partnership with establishments from Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, used "Vampire" drones to deliver food, water, and Easter cakes to troops at their positions, ensuring they could celebrate this important holiday even while at the frontlines

Russian forces struck a confectionery workshop in Sumy with Shahed drones on 18 April

The attack killed a businessman who came to pick up Easter cakes and injured a shop worker. Emergency services recovered the body from under the rubble. Three drones were used in this attack on civilian infrastructure
 
Russia calls Ukraine ceasefire 'unrealistic' despite Trump's peace efforts.

A full ceasefire in Ukraine is "unrealistic," Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya said during an April 17 briefing, challenging diplomatic efforts to halt the fighting.

The statement came more than a month after Ukraine agreed to a full 30-day ceasefire proposal, introduced during earlier negotiations with the U.S. in Jeddah on March 11.

US may soon abandon Russia-Ukraine ceasefire efforts, Rubio says.

The U.S. will cease its attempts to negotiate a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia in the following days if there is no signal that an agreement is reachable, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on April 18, Reuters reported. https://kyivindependent.com/us-ready-to-abandon-russia-ukraine-ceasefire-efforts-rubio-says/

Vance 'optimistic' about efforts to end Russia-Ukraine war.

"I want to update the prime minister (Meloni) on some of the negotiations... even in the past 24 hours, we think we have some interesting things to report on," Vance said.
 
Devastating attack on Kharkiv using cluster munitions this Good Friday, one of the holiest days in the Christian calendar

At least 87 people were injured in this latest Russian strike. Rescue workers from Luhansk Oblast also work at the strike site

Ukrainian soldiers defending the Kharkiv front line received a special Easter delivery: traditional holiday cakes flown in by drones typically used for combat missions The Pasqadron initiative, launched by the Khartiia Brigade in partnership with establishments from Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, used "Vampire" drones to deliver food, water, and Easter cakes to troops at their positions, ensuring they could celebrate this important holiday even while at the frontlines

Russian forces struck a confectionery workshop in Sumy with Shahed drones on 18 April

The attack killed a businessman who came to pick up Easter cakes and injured a shop worker. Emergency services recovered the body from under the rubble. Three drones were used in this attack on civilian infrastructure
Russia will never stop.this long weekend is going to be bloody. I don't think president Zelenskyy will sign a deal with USA . He knows how untrustworthy the Cheetos is .there's nothing the Cheetos and USA will do to go against anything Russian.
 
The US is prepared to recognize Russian control of the Ukrainian region of Crimea as part of a broader peace agreement between Moscow and Kyiv, according to people familiar with the matter.

The potential concession is the latest signal that President Donald Trump is eager to cement a ceasefire deal, and comes as he and Secretary of State Marco Rubiosuggested on Friday that the administration is prepared to move on from its peace-brokering efforts unless progress is made quickly.

 
We are happy to announce the signing, with our American partners, of a Memorandum of Intent, which paves the way for an Economic Partnership Agreement and the establishment of the Investment Fund for the Reconstruction of Ukraine.

This document is the result of the professional work of the negotiating teams, which recently completed another round of technical discussions in Washington.Ahead is the finalization of the text of the Agreement and its signing—and then, ratification by parliaments.

In the meantime, we continue to work on the Agreement itself. There is a lot to do, but the current pace and significant progress give reason to expect that the document will be very beneficial for both countries.

The U.S. has provided Ukraine, Russia, and Europe with "outlines of a durable and lasting peace," U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said on April 17.

The U.S. and Ukraine have signed a memorandum of understanding on a minerals deal that is yet to be finalized, Deputy Prime Minister and Economic Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said on April 17. White House officials have previously underscored the importance of the deal for progressing with peace talks.

Ukraine and the U.S. may sign a minerals deal on April 24, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters on April 17.

"We have a minerals deal, which I guess is going to be signed on Thursday, next Thursday," Trump said during a press conference with Italy Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the White House.

"And I assume they’re going to live up to the deal," he added.
The US doesn't have the authority to negotiate any agreement on behalf of other countries. We can negotiate our own agreement with Ukraine and Russia, but that's all.

Europe has much more at stake in these negotiations, much more at risk. It's none of our business what they choose to do WRT threats from Russia. JMO

POTUS forcing the US to do anything in support of Russia is nothing short of treason, JMO. They are not our ally. Our trusted allies are NATO, Ukraine, EU, etc. Not Russia.
 
This is how Russia began this Good Friday – with ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, Shaheds – maiming our people and cities.

A missile strike on Kharkiv, right on the city. Dozens of residential buildings were damaged, as well as an enterprise and vehicles. Around 70 people were injured, including five children. The youngest, Valeriia, is just two years old. All the wounded received the necessary medical assistance. Tragically, one person was killed.

Sumy. Russian attack drones. One of the targets was a regular bakery, an ordinary business that has served the city for decades. Tragically, one person was killed in this attack. My condolences to all who have lost loved ones.

There were also Russian strikes on Dnipro, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, and Donetsk regions.

Our rescuers, medics, and other emergency and specialized services are all responding and helping. I thank every single person who is saving lives and restoring living conditions in Ukraine’s cities and villages.

I am grateful to all our partners who are helping defend Ukraine. Every defense package matters – all air defense systems, sufficient supply of missiles for those systems – all this truly makes a difference.

Yesterday, our Bring Kids Back UA initiative launched a new campaign – one that, right now, brings together very different people through a deeply just emotion and an absolutely essential purpose.

Just ahead of Easter – a family holiday – we’re reminding the world that until the Ukrainian children stolen by Russia are returned, this war cannot truly be considered over.

We need real peace. And we will achieve it. Everyone needs justice. And it must be achieved. Thank you to everyone who stands with Ukraine.

Emergency response operations are still underway in Kharkiv following the Russian missile strike. Preliminary reports indicate they were cruise missiles—Iskanders. One of the missiles detonated in mid-air over a residential neighborhood; another struck an industrial site near a housing area.

As a result of the strike, ordinary apartment buildings were damaged, and many people were injured—over a hundred. Everyone is receiving assistance. These are completely different people—some elderly, some very young. All they were doing was living their lives in their own country, in their own city — and that alone makes them targets for Russia and its missiles.

One must be an outright 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬 and despise life to carry out such missile strikes on an ordinary city on Good Friday, the eve of Easter. And when we appeal to our partners—primarily the United States—for Patriot systems and missiles for them that can protect against this Russian evil—against cruise missiles and ballistic threats—we are asking for the kind of protection every nation deserves.

There must never be a situation where one nation is deemed more deserving of assistance than another. Besides, helping is the Christian thing to do. Especially when there is a real opportunity to help. And there must never be a situation where one terrorist can somehow escape consequences, even though they destroy lives just as others do. Russia deserves at the very least severe sanctions as retribution for all it is doing.

Today, we have expanded our Ukrainian sanctions against nearly a hundred more entities—natural and legal persons—most of whom are involved in the production of such missiles—Iskanders—like those that struck our Kharkiv. Many of these entities are Russian, but unfortunately, some are also from China.

We will continue working with our partners to ensure that our sanctions are coordinated—everyone who contributes to the killing and prolonging the war must be held accountable. I am grateful to everyone around the world who supports this position.
 
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