Russia has now won the war in Ukraine.

by Eric Zuesse, The Duran:

On February 12th, Stephen Bryen, who has retired from a career at the tops of one of America’s ten largest armaments-makers and near the top of the U.S. Defense Department (he’s been through the revolving door and now has retired from it), headlined “Europe Gasping for Air as Trump Makes His Ukraine Move: No NATO Membership for Ukraine, No US Troops” and reported not only that Trump has basically fired Keith Kellogg who was his failed appointee to negotiate with Russia about the war in Ukraine, but that Trump has dropped the Kellogg-initiated U.S. starting position for entering into those negotiations with Russia (Russia refused to accept that even as a starting position); so, Trump had on February 12th a 90-minute phone conversation with Putin, and it was extremely productive, because Trump now recognizes not only why Russia refuses to accept Ukraine’s EVER being allowed into NATO, but also that Russians would have to be crazy to ever accept such a possibility (just like the United States would have been crazy to have accepted Soviet missiles into Cuba in 1962). It transformed Trump’s view. Here was Trump’s statement:

TRUTH LIVES on at https://sgtreport.tv/

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https://x.com/TrumpDailyPosts/status/1889720462151917756

Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social

@TrumpDailyPosts

I just had a lengthy and highly productive phone call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia. We discussed Ukraine, the Middle East, Energy, Artificial Intelligence, the power of the Dollar, and various other subjects. We both reflected on the Great History of our Nations, and the fact that we fought so successfully together in World War II, remembering, that Russia lost tens of millions of people, and we, likewise, lost so many! We each talked about the strengths of our respective Nations, and the great benefit that we will someday have in working together. But first, as we both agreed, we want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the War with Russia/Ukraine. President Putin even used my very strong Campaign motto of, “COMMON SENSE.” We both believe very strongly in it. We agreed to work together, very closely, including visiting each other’s Nations. We have also agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately, and we will begin by calling President Zelenskyy, of Ukraine, to inform him of the conversation, something which I will be doing right now. I have asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of the CIA John Ratcliffe, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, and Ambassador and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, to lead the negotiations which, I feel strongly, will be successful. Millions of people have died in a War that would not have happened if I were President, but it did happen, so it must end. No more lives should be lost! I want to thank President Putin for his time and effort with respect to this call, and for the release, yesterday, of Marc Fogel, a wonderful man that I personally greeted last night at the White House. I believe this effort will lead to a successful conclusion, hopefully soon!

Donald Trump Truth Social Post 11:53 AM EST 02/12/25

11:57 AM · Feb 12, 2025

4.2M Views

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And here is what Dr. Bryen wrote about it this morning (go to the original at his “Europe Gasping for Air as Trump Makes His Ukraine Move: No NATO Membership for Ukraine, No US Troops” in order to see the version that includes the several videos):

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European leaders who have been strongly supporting keeping the Ukraine war going have been dealt a serious blow by President Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Most of them must be in shock, gasping for breath.

Let’s start with Hegseth. He made the following declarations:

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1. Ukraine’s membership in NATO is off the table. Ukraine won’t be invited to join NATO.

2. The US will not send any troops to Ukraine for any reason, including peacekeeping.

3. The US will no longer supply or pay for weapons and support for Ukraine. It will be up to the European NATO members to provide support to Ukraine.

4. While the US supports NATO, American participation has to be fair and equitable, meaning that NATO members will have to significantly increase their contributions.

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