Will Trump really support Ukraine at meeting with Putin?

Putin invaded Ukraine to further his territorial aims. He wants Russia back to its former USSR days pre-1991.

He won’t stop at Ukraine.

Whitewavemark2

Putin invaded Ukraine to further his territorial aims. He wants Russia back to its former USSR days pre-1991.

He won’t stop at Ukraine.

True, even though the Baltic states are now in NATO - and so is Finland, which has a massive border with Russia.

Putin expected an easy take over of Ukraine and would then have gone in to other countries. That's why Sweden and Finland joined NATO.

If Ukraine hadn't resisted who knows how much territory would be Russian by now.

Any countries Putin has his eye on who aren't members of NATO, need to be allowed to join pretty darn quick.

I'm just so glad to see all the European countries backing Zelensky, and thereby Ukraine.

We can only hope that their backing does some good.

To be honest, Smileless2012, at this point I don't think it can do any harm. All Europe needs this to go well or we may be returning to Cold War style impacts on our economies. They are presenting a united front, not wanting to see Russia rewarded for force. That seems not only reasonable but necessary to me.

That seems not only reasonable but necessary to me I agree.

Trump will only do what's best for him and his family. He's not up on European politics or history and he doesn't care what happens as long as he gets something out of it. Let's hope the group meeting in Washington today prevents him from bullying Zelensky.

I'm feeling really anxious about this meeting. It's not like me at all but I was so upset with how Zelensky was treated by Trump and Vance at their last meeting. I really hope we don't see anything like that again, it was appalling. I have my fingers crossed that there will be a reasonable outcome for Ukraine but tbh I don't feel optimistic. Anyone else feeling anxious?

Not feeling anxious but very cynical foxie48. Confidence in politicians is rock bottom.

Yes me. I’m jittery, there is so much relying on this. Not just Ukraine but our children’s and grandchildren’s future.

I was listening today, and the historian was saying that this thread goes back to 1991 and beyond. Apparently Putin was a KGB officer in East Germany and he has never ever accepted it.

I do not know what outcome will be. What I do know is that the death of thousands of people and millions being spent on ammunition is not the answer.

It’s definitely not the answer for the majority of decent people but the armaments industry is worth a fortune and there in lies the problem.love0c

I have just heard that Trump will be asking/ demanding Ukraine to give up huge amounts of land some which hasn’t even been taken yet by Russia. It is not a good deal for Ukraine.
Russia offers little in return.

I think Zeldnski was having some training from one of the British team who has been dealing with Trump. American culture is so different to ours and different again to Ukraine's.

I definitely have moments of real concern foxie48. I don't think that's at all unreasonable.

That would amount to surrender by Ukraine.

How can that happen?

Daily Telegraph. In response to Trump saying that Zelensky could end the war immediately if he forgoes any desire to be a member of NATO, KS's spokesman has said Russia can't have a veto against Ukraine's pathway to the EU or NATO and said our position on Ukraine and NATO hasn't changed, and that Ukraine's on an irreversible path to membership.

European leaders at today's meeting are attempting to convince Trump to impose further sanctions on Russia.

Planned intervention appears to be at odds with America's position.

I wonder which way will Trump go? Go against Europe and support Putin or effectively turn his back on Putin in support of Ukraine. If the former, what will his fellow Americans think and if the latter, will the world know what if anything Putin has on Trump.

I still believe that Trump is caught in the deep blue waters of Little St James Island. He’d no doubt sell his own mother down the river to escape the shame of Putin telling all, never mind Ukraine.

Smileless2012

Daily Telegraph. In response to Trump saying that Zelensky could end the war immediately if he forgoes any desire to be a member of NATO, KS's spokesman has said Russia can't have a veto against Ukraine's pathway to the EU or NATO and said our position on Ukraine and NATO hasn't changed, and that Ukraine's on an irreversible path to membership.

European leaders at today's meeting are attempting to convince Trump to impose further sanctions on Russia.

Planned intervention appears to be at odds with America's position.

I wonder which way will Trump go? Go against Europe and support Putin or effectively turn his back on Putin in support of Ukraine. If the former, what will his fellow Americans think and if the latter, will the world know what if anything Putin has on Trump.

Putin has explicitly stated no NATO membership, do we really expect him to change his whole justification for the war.

As for Trump I don’t think he really cares what the deal is as long as the war ends

Does Putin really expect Ukraine and Europe to be dictated too by Russia?

I agree about Trump but it's not looking good for a deal is it if Putin doesn't get what he wants and why on earth should he.

Putin can’t get what he wants.

We’ve been down this appeasement route before and look how that ended!

Whitewavemark2

Putin can’t get what he wants.

We’ve been down this appeasement route before and look how that ended!

Putin is not noted for U Turns his instinct is to double down, he’s a dictator who disposes of his opposition at will.

"Putin has explicitly stated no NATO membership, do we really expect him to change his whole justification for the war."

Does anyone really believe that this is about NATO membership? I don't. It's about Putin's desire to recreate the USSR, if Ukraine joins NATO it puts Russia into a difficult position that will prevent his expansionist philosophy. Ukraine first, other countries later once he's had time to rebuild his economy and rearm.

foxie48

"Putin has explicitly stated no NATO membership, do we really expect him to change his whole justification for the war."

Does anyone really believe that this is about NATO membership? I don't. It's about Putin's desire to recreate the USSR, if Ukraine joins NATO it puts Russia into a difficult position that will prevent his expansionist philosophy. Ukraine first, other countries later once he's had time to rebuild his economy and rearm.

Exactly.