This week, just for a change, a battlefield event in Ukraine has overshadowed almost everything else as brave Russian soldiers launched an audacious attack on the rear of Ukrainian forces in Sudzha (Kursk) triggering a huge collapse (see ‘The Fronts’ below). Ironically, this success was achieved by a daring journey of 16 kms through a 1.4 m diameter gas pipe which was abandoned by Zelensky in order to deny gas to Europeans. Many Russian soldiers spent six days in the pipe, while some were suffocated or hospitalised in a venture which will be admired by many who have an interest in special military operations. The Ukrainians were soundly defeated and will not remain in Kursk for much longer. b from the Moon of Alabama provides a detailed article on the operation here (March 11th).
Donald J has imposed sanctions/restrictions on Russia’s oil, gas and banking sectors, which is an odd position to take in the middle of negotiations. Trump is sometimes all over the place and can’t accept that the carrot and stick will not work with Russia, or China, or Iran. If sanctions haven’t worked for the past three years, why should they work now.
In Jeddah on the 11th March, Ukrainian delegates met with their US counterparts in what is without doubt the other big event of the week. The delegates agreed a full 30 day ceasefire between them. Later, Zelensky, who was not at the negotiating table, gave his approval, thereby redeeming himself in the eyes of the Donald. In return for this agreement, Ukraine’s aid and intelligence sharing will be restored (see below). Vladimir Putin has welcomed the desire for a cessation of hostilities but he insisted that this must lead to a lasting peace. Putin politely highlighted some practical difficulties with the proposals which are discussed below in detail.
In the Middle East a rebellion by Alawites who were part of the Syrian army has been put down by Jolani and HTS. Many Alawites have sought refuge at a Russian military base on the coast. According to this report atrocities have been committed against Alawites, Christians and Sunnis. Whole families have been massacred. This Telegram report claims 1,300 dead while others claim that 4,000 have been killed, mostly civilians. Zero Hedge also provides a report here. Syria is becoming a blood bath. The Turks and the Europeans are playing down the atrocities and even blaming the victims. In the meantime, the scavenging Israelis, who have been pounding bases which used to belong to the Syrian army, have proclaimed that they will stay in Syria indefinitely .
Trump, still in bullying mood, has responded to Iran’s rejection of talks by warning the Iranians that the matter will be handled militarily or ‘by making a deal’. No Donald, if you decide to attack Iran, Israel will cease to exist. The Iranians demonstrated last year that their hypersonic missiles will very quickly take out Israel’s salination plants, its military bases and its oil infrastructure in the Mediterranean.
In Gaza, according to this report, the Israelis have not only cut off electricity to the southern desalination plant, they are preventing humanitarian aid, including food and medical supplies, from reaching the city - which is against International Law. In response, the Houthis have announced that they will now be attacking Israeli connected shipping. Apparently, the Trump Administration is negotiating directly with Hamas in connection with the release of hostages. The Palestinian Chronicle suggests that this is happening because the US does not trust Israel to complete the deal.
Finally, for those who like justice, the ECHR has found Ukraine guilty of aiding and abetting the Nazi massacre perpetrated at the House of Trade Unions in Odessa on May 2nd 2014. Here people who opposed the Maidan coup were burned alive.
Ukrainians and Americans Meet in Jeddah March 11th
The American negotiating side was represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. The Ukrainian side was represented by Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Deputy Head of Zelenskyy's Office Pavlo Palisa. Andriy Yermak was also there but Zelensky was not. The American delegation was late and talks lasted more than 8 hours. It is said that talks were ‘difficult’.
At the meeting, according to Tass, the US and Ukraine agreed a 30 day full temporary ceasefire. The Americans will now be lifting intelligence and aid restrictions while the ‘minerals deal’ has been resurrected. Both parties (i.e. The US and Ukraine) agreed to name their negotiation teams and begin negotiating immediately. I have reproduced the joint statement below:
The Ceasefire Agreement
Joint Statement on the United States-Ukraine Meeting in Jeddah
Media Note
March 11, 2025
Today in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – under the gracious hospitality of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman – the United States and Ukraine took important steps toward restoring durable peace for Ukraine.
Representatives of both nations praised the bravery of the Ukrainian people in defense of their nation and agreed that now is the time to begin a process toward lasting peace.
The Ukrainian delegation reiterated the Ukrainian people’s strong gratitude to President Trump, the U.S. Congress, and the people of the United States for making possible meaningful progress toward peace.
Ukraine expressed readiness to accept the U.S. proposal to enact an immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire, which can be extended by mutual agreement of the parties, and which is subject to acceptance and concurrent implementation by the Russian Federation.
The United States will communicate to Russia that Russian reciprocity is the key to achieving peace. The United States will immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing and resume security assistance to Ukraine.
The delegations also discussed the importance of humanitarian relief efforts as part of the peace process, particularly during the above-mentioned ceasefire, including the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilian detainees, and the return of forcibly transferred Ukrainian children.
Both delegations agreed to name their negotiating teams and immediately begin negotiations toward an enduring peace that provides for Ukraine’s long-term security. The United States committed to discussing these specific proposals with representatives from Russia. The Ukrainian delegation reiterated that European partners shall be involved in the peace process.
Lastly, both countries’ presidents agreed to conclude as soon as possible a comprehensive agreement for developing Ukraine’s critical mineral resources to expand Ukraine’s economy and guarantee Ukraine’s long-term prosperity and security
Given the current euphoria in Kursk and the terrorist attacks on Moscow, this is not a good time for the Americans to persuade Putin, his government and his military that a ceasefire would be a wise move - and maybe Trump knows this since Putin made his position clear in January. In July 2024 Putin also said that Ukrainian withdrawal from Zaporozhye, Kherson, Donetsk and Luhansk along with their abandonment of NATO ambitions would be necessary pre-requisites to negotiations.
But as an underhand political move, so it appears, this agreement has advantages in that it presents the US and Ukraine as reasonable while some will say that Russia is being unreasonable not to accept the offer. Zelensky and the EU leadership who have been viciously banging the war drum until now, will accuse Russia of not wanting peace - but this will amount to an optics victory only. But some, such as Alex Krainer, believe that this ceasefire deal has been made to placate the Europeans and that Trump’s team is not serious. It could also have been made in order to place the US at the front and centre of negotiations with the Ukrainians in a subordinate position. It is clear that Zelensky is being sidelined - pushed into touch.
As far as we know, Zelensky and the Ukrainians have not agreed to give up territory so the negotiations that are part of this agreement will go nowhere. Therefore, as the Russians have insisted, a ceasefire at this stage makes no sense at all and would allow the Ukrainian army some breathing space. I imagine the army, which has the bit between its teeth, would rebel rather than accept a ceasefire. According to a Ukrainian source, Zelensky is agreeing to a ceasefire for one reason only: to strengthen his defences. Note that Zelensky has never accepted ceasefire options in the past so we must be suspicious of his agreement to do so now - as his armies collapse.
The statement also reproduces Ukrainian propaganda about Russia kidnapping children which is dishonest of the Americans who may have included it as a sop to the downcast Ukrainian team. This will not earn Russian trust. The Americans usually feel they must provide a little stick with their carrot (the ‘stick’ also includes the restoration of intelligence and funding) - but where’s the carrot? The Russians may also be annoyed that this agreement has been negotiated in their absence and presented to them as a fait accompli. I think they may find this statement insulting in these respects but they will be too diplomatic to say so.
Lyuba Lulko, writing for Pravda, cites Russian experts who believe that it would be poor diplomacy to dismiss the ceasefire offer completely but the Russians should respond by insisting on certain conditions. These could include, for example, an insistence that Ukraine leaves what it now regards as its territory in the DPR, LPR, Zaporozhye and Kherson. But the experts agree that clarification is needed regarding the US/Ukraine statement.
If, as Clausewitz said, war is a continuation of politics by other means then I would suggest that a continuation of the war without a temporary 30 day ceasefire would be politically expedient. An acceptance of the ceasefire, which would prolong the war as the Ukrainians rearm, would be a betrayal of the objectives of the SMO and a betrayal of the people who are waiting to be liberated. Furthermore, a ceasefire is not a necessary condition for talks to take place. So, I don’t think it will happen.
The Americans have attempted to obfuscate the fact that this is still a proxy war between the US and Russia by taking on the appearance of an ‘objective’ referee in between Zelensky and Putin. Hopefully, most will be able to see through this ploy.
Some Ukrainians are disappointed that Zelensky has abandoned the demand for a security commitment from the US.
On the afternoon of March 13th, Putin aide, Yury Ushakov, emphasized that Russia is not interested in temporary measures that will allow the Ukrainian to rearm. Rather, Moscow’s goal is:
A long-term peaceful settlement that takes into account the legitimate interests of our country and our known concerns.
‘Steps that mimic peaceful action are of no use to anyone’, he added. According to Reuters, Ushakov also said that the Americans were trying to place Russia in a position where it looked, wrongly, that it does not want peace.
Touché.
It seems that the Russians were insulted by this statement from the amateurish American diplomats.
Putin’s Reply
On the evening of 13th March, Vladimir Putin (with visiting Lukashenko at his side) said that he agreed with proposal for a cessation of hostilities and thanked the Americans for it. However, this must lead to a long term peace, he emphasized: therefore the root causes of the conflict must also be addressed. He then raised the following practical issues about the US/Ukraine proposals:
What are we going to do with this section of the enclosure in the Kursk region? If we stop hostilities for 30 days, what does that mean? That everyone who is there will leave without a fight? Are we supposed to let them out of there after they have committed a mass of crimes against civilians? Or will the Ukrainian leadership give them a command to lay down their arms and just surrender? How will it be? It's unclear.
And how will other issues be resolved along the entire line of contact - which is almost 2,000 kilometers? And there, as you know, Russian troops are advancing in almost all areas of contact. And there, too, conditions are being created for us to blockade quite large units.
So, how will these 30 days be used? For forced mobilization to continue in Ukraine? For weapons to be supplied there? For the newly mobilized units to be trained? Or will none of this be done?
Then the question arises: how will the issues of control, verification be handled? How can we - and how will we be guaranteed - that nothing like this will happen? How will control be organized? I hope that at the level of common sense it is clear to everyone that these are serious questions. Who will give orders to stop hostilities? And what is the price of these orders?
Can you imagine almost 2 thousand kilometers? Who will determine where and who has violated a possible ceasefire agreement for 2,000 kilometers, and then - who will blame the violation of this agreement on whom? These are all questions that require painstaking research on both sides.
So, Putin supported a ceasefire in principle, as Pravda experts recommended above, but the points he made, without criticising anyone, demonstrated how impractical the proposals are.
If you would like some expert opinion, b provides it at the MoA. Also, Alexander Mercouris provides some interesting analysis that focusses on those things that the statement does not include, such as security guarantees, peacekeeping forces and ‘no fly zones; - which is a snub to the Europeans who want such things. You can view his considered and astute contribution at 32 minutes here. His partner in crime Alex Christoforou provides some very inspired analysis of Putin’s statement which is worth looking at here.
Yermak Responds To Putin
Andriy Yermak, who is actually running the show for Zelensky, has said that Ukraine will never accept restrictions on the size of its army and insisted that there can be no restrictions on Ukraine’s membership of NATO or the EU - according to the War Chronicle.
Is this a final show of defiance I wonder?
Since Zelensky will not give up land I can see no point in negotiations or the ceasefire deemed necessary for them to be conducted. This is the main stumbling block.
Yermak also insisted that Europe will be part of the ‘peace process’. This statement will not have disappointed Putin.
Keith Kellogg has been removed from the negotiating team at Russia’s request because he is ‘too pro-Ukrainian'.
Khairullin
Marat Khairullin provides some incendiary revelations claimed from an inside source which may be of interest. The source claims that the Russians have provided the Trump negotiating team with demands for a post war Ukraine - insisting that Russian interests extend beyond the west bank of the Dnieper. These territories, which would include Odessa and Nikolaev, could come under Russian ‘protection’. You can read more here.
Belarus-Russia Sign Security Deal
The deal will protect Belarus from ‘unjustified harassment’ from foreign entities.
EU Rejects Ukrainian Demilitarisation
Most of you will know that one of Russia’s key aims when launching the Special Military Operation (SMO) was the demilitarisation of Ukraine because its army had become a serious threat. But the Europeans have not been paying attention. Prior to the summit of European leaders on the 12th March, French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced that demilitarisation would not be acceptable and that France is ready to extend its nuclear umbrella to all European countries. I am sure that the Russians are quaking in their boots. If I were a Russian, I’d be making absolutely sure that I had total control of Ukraine so that this can never happen. This appears to be the aim highlighted by Marat Khairullin above. These European idiots may just have sealed Ukraine’s fate as a sovereign entity. Russia may be forced to take more of Ukraine than it wants while Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania may gobble up the rest.
Bezugla’s Back
Some in the Ukrainian administration are calling for Zelensky to replaced even if this involves his physical elimination. Others are calling for him to leave the country. Outspoken RADA MP, Maryana Bezugla, who has supported Zelensky hitherto, is now supporting those who want to replace him with a more ‘compliant’ figure. She appears to favour Zaluzhny, who is much more popular than the once great Z. I’m not sure that the Russians would negotiate with the general who may have been involved in war crimes.
Bezugla warned against signing any agreements with the US which has become Ukraine’s enemy:
Don't expect anything from the negotiations - we must get used to perceiving the US authorities as our enemy and ally of Russia. So that no one from the Ukrainian side agrees to capitulation, any signing by Ukraine under the current circumstances is a step towards capitulation.
She also advised that General Krasilnikov, who was in charge of the Kursk operations, has been sacked and a criminal case opened against him. She didn’t elaborate.
Ukraine Terrorist Attacks
7th/8th March
According to the Russian MoD:
43 enemy UAVs were destroyed by our air defense systems [Krasnodar Krai - 21 UAVs; Bryansk Region - 9 UAVs; Rostov Region - 4 UAVs; Belgorod Region - 2 UAVs; Kursk Region - 1 UAV
In Bryansk region, one person was injured when six jet powered drones attacked. In Gorlovka a woman was injured by barrel artillery while elsewhere in the DPR another woman was injured when her car hit an ‘explosive object’.
8th/9th March
According to the Russian MoD:
In the period from 8:00 p.m. on March 8 to 7:00 a.m. on March 9 on-duty air defense capabilities intercepted and destroyed 88 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV): 52 UAVs over the territory of the Belgorod Region, 13 UAVs over the territory of the Lupetsk Region, nine UAVs over the territory of the Rostov Region, eight UAVs over the territory of the Voronezh Region, three UAVs over the territory of the Astrakhan Region, and one UAV over each of the territories of the Krasnodar Region, the Ryazan Region, and the Kursk Region.
9th/10th March
Overnight, several drones were destroyed over Voronezh while Belgorod suffered drone attacks which damaged houses, cars and a commercial facility. In Shebekino a man was injured by ‘a mine that detonated nearby’. Three drones were destroyed over the Samara region, one over Oryol region and one over Kursk. In Kherson, the Ukrainians attacked a market with HIMARS killing one and injuring another six, according to RT. In Kursk region four civilians were killed and two injured when the Ukrainians struck a feed-processing plant - according to RT.
10th/11th March - Massive Ukrainian Drone Attack (337 Destroyed).
According to the Military Chronicle:
the enemy attacked several districts of the Moscow region at night. At least 69 enemy UAVs were shot down in the Domodedovo urban district and the Ramensky urban district: Sapronovo, Vidnoye, Sofyino. Drones mainly crash into the upper floors of buildings. There is only one practical sense in this raid for the enemy - to divert attention from the Kursk region.
According to this report, three civilians were killed and eighteen injured during these attacks on high rise residential buildings in Ramenskoye - pure terrorism. Politico’s report on the attacks was dishonest to say the least as it claimed that ‘strategic facilities’ were targeted and that Russian air defences were responsible for the damage to residential buildings. This was a residential area full of high rise buildings and the drones were seen to strike their targets leaving behind the ball bearings shown in the photo. When asked whether the use of Oreshnik’s would be an appropriate response, Russian State Duma Defense Committee chairman Andrey Kartapolov replied:
the decision is up to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. But I think it would be appropriate [to launch the Oreshnik], and it would be even better if it is more than one missile.
Representatives of the Kiev regime have openly stated that the attack was made to ‘encourage’ the Russians to accept the ‘partial ceasefire’ proposed by Zelensky confined to air attacks on energy infrastructure. If this were the case, it is obvious that the Ukrainians totally misunderstand the Russian psyche. It could also have been launched in revenge for Kursk or to take public attention away from that debacle.
In Belaya Sloboda (Kursk) a shopping centre was attacked at a busy time killing three and injuring another nine. Elsewhere, ten explosions were heard in Ryazan while drones attacked Kurchatov close to the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant. Drones also attacked Tula and Voronezh regions. In Belgorod region, drone attacks on cars injured two civilians while another was injured by a drone strike in the village of Bobrava. Many more cars were damaged by drones throughout the Belgorod region while in Gorlovka (DPR) two civilians were injured by artillery strikes.
Russian MoD totals:
91 UAVs over Moscow; 126 over Kursk; 38 over Bryansk; 25 over Belgorod; 22 over Ryazan; ten over Kaluga; eight over Lipetsk; eight over Orel; six over Voronezh; three over Nizhniy Novgorod.
This appears to have been the largest Ukrainian drone attack of the conflict.
11th/12th March
Belgorod suffered artillery and drones strikes overnight which damaged houses, cars and commercial premises but caused no casualties but in the DPR two people were injured by Ukrainian strikes. According to the Russian MoD a total of 21 drones were destroyed:
12 UAVs over the Bryansk region; 2 over Kursk; 1 over Kaluga; 1 over Crimea and 5 over the Black Sea.
12th/13th March
Overnight in Belgorod Region, drones attacked cars, dwellings and a commercial facility causing some damage but no casualties. In the DPR, one man was killed and another injured by ‘explosive devices'. According to the Russian MoD, 30 drones were shot down over Bryansk, 5 over Rostov, 25 over Kaluga, 6 over Kursk, 6 over Voronezh and 5 over Belgorod. In Rostov, fragments from a falling drone caused a fire on a farmstead while in Voronezh an infrastructure facility was damaged.
13th/14th March
Overnight, Saratov and Voronezh regions suffered drone attacks. Belgorod region also suffered drone attacks that damaged vehicles, dwellings and business premises while injuring three civilians.
The Sea War
7th/8th March
6 drones were destroyed over the Sea of Azov overnight.
11th/12th March
One drone was destroyed over Crimea and another 5 over the Black Sea.
The Air War (Map)
Russian Missile/Drone Attacks
7th/8th March
Explosions have been reported in Odessa as Russia continued its week long attack on electricity and other infrastructure.
9th/10th March
On March 9th, the Ukrainians attacked a market in Kherson killing one and injuring six others. Overnight, according to the Slavyangrad, Geraniums were in the air over Kiev, Chernihov; Sumy; Poltava; Cherkasy; Kirovograd; Nikolaev; Kharkov; Dnepropetrovsk and Zaporozhye regions.
10th/11th March
Overnight, fuel storage facilities in Odessa were attacked and set alight. Zhitomir, Kiev, Chernigov and Kramatorsk also came under attack.
11th/12th March
According to the Two Majors:
The enemy reported that last night, the RAF struck the Odessa Region, damaging a dry cargo ship allegedly carrying "grain." Strikes on infrastructure facilities in the Dnepropetrovsk were confirmed. There also were explosions heard in Kiev, Pavlograd, Kramatorsk, Zmeiny Island, as well as in the Cherkasy, Kharkov, Sumy, and Khmelnytsky Regions.
12th/13th March
According to the Majors:
At night, enemy channels reported more FAB strikes from UMPK, OTRK, and Geraniums. Explosions were heard in Sumy, Kherson, Nikolaev, Odessa, Khmelnytsky, Dnepropetrovsk, Zaporozhye, Kiev, and Cherkasy Regions.
Ukrainian Missile/Drone Attacks
7th/8th March
Overnight, a drone attack on an oil refinery in Leningrad Region was repelled.
10th/11th March
Overnight, an oil depot was attacked in Orel.
13th/14th March
Overnight, drones attacked the oil refinery at Tuapse, setting a gasoline tanker ablaze. The fire covered an area of 1,000m².
The Ground War
Russian MoD Reports - Ukrainian Losses (excludes Kursk)
w/e February 21st 2025 9,235 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 732
w/e February 28th 2025 8,680 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 700.
w/e March 7th 2025 10,375 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 539.
w/e March 14th 2025 10,780 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 649.
The Fronts
Front Line Cats
Kursk - Pipeline to Victory
Zelensky will be regretting his decision to cut off gas to Europe because it has undermined his Kursk adventure. Strange but true. The Russian forces have utilised a 16 km long section of pipe 1.4 metres in diameter to place them behind enemy lines in the Sudzha Direction. Entry into the pipe took place some time ago and the soldiers ate and slept in claustrophobic conditions with all their equipment for six days. Some were suffocated by gas while others had to be withdrawn and taken to hospital. But the surprise was complete and effective. You can read more at the War Chronicle.
On March 9th, according to a Ukrainian source:
Our source in the General Staff reported that the best units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces are currently being destroyed in the Kursk region, as they are trying to retreat on their own without orders, but are getting caught in the fire pockets. Syrsky again failed to give the order to retreat in time, despite the requests of combat commanders and the situation with the tactical encirclement of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, all supply roads have been zeroed in for a week, and bridges have been destroyed. Today alone, we have lost almost a thousand dead and a hundred units of equipment, the Battle of Kursk is turning into a meat grinder.
On March 8th, several reports claims that between 4,700 and 6,500 Ukrainian troops were close to being stranded around Sudhza in Kursk. Since them, many have left the area on foot so it remains to be seen how many will be trapped.
Sudzha Detail
Kursk
Some believe that once the Russians have cleared Kursk, it is possible that they could utilise the 150,000 troops they (allegedly) have in the area to cross the border into Sumy and attack Kharkov or Kiev. The Ukrainians have neither defences nor forces in this area to stop them. On the 10th March, Daniel Davis provided a clear and comprehensive report of the situation here while the intrepid Patrick Lancaster also provides some in depth reports, including live reporting, on the situation.
General Syrsky has denied that the Ukrainians are in danger of encirclement and is sending reinforcements to the area - according to a Ukrainian source.
On March 12th, the Russian MoD confirmed that Sudzha came under Russian armed forces.
On March 13th, Vladmir Putin himself, notably dressed in combat fatigues for the first time ever, visited the Kursk region and congratulated the forces involved in the operation. He advised that the Russians would clear the Ukrainians from Kursk then set up a ‘buffer zone’ along the border. You can read more at Tass. I would not be surprised if Putin, dressed like the once great Z, was sending a message here to the Americans and their ceasefire proposals. Perhaps he is hinting that this conflict will be settled militarily.
Seversk
According to the Majors:
From the Seversky direction: the enemy has reported the activity of the Russian Armed Forces near the villages of Sakko and Vanzetti. This section of the front has not been included in frontline reports for a long time.
Chasiv Yar
Toretsk
I reported last week that following Ukrainian attacks much of Toretsk was in the gray zone but things have changed. On March 12th, according to Slavyangrad:
The enemy launched an attack on Dzerzhinsk (Toretsk) from three directions, trying to capture the city, but thanks to the skillful and coordinated actions of Russian troops, this turned into a massacre for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
By the 13th March, according to the Majors:
…the situation remains the same, as enemy units are being sent into the development. The AFU have no prospects of changing the situation, but the elimination of enemy units that have broken through takes time and effort.
Pokrovsk
On March 13th, the Two Majors reported that:
the Russian Armed Forces are attacking in the settlements of Uspenovka, Udachnoye, and Kotlino. In the settlements of Peschanoye and Shevchenko, the intensity of hostilities remains high. There hasn't been much progress for a long time. The enemy has up pulled its additional reserves, including those trained in EU countries, and is laying them down in counterattacks.
Kurakhovo, Konstantinople, Andreevka
Konstantinople was liberated on the 9th March, according to Tass.
Velikaya Novoselka
On March 13th, the Two Majors provided a brief report:
North of Velikaya (Bolshaya) Novoselka: the RAF has planted its flag in the northern part of the Dreprenergiya settlement, thus, confirming the capture of the village.
Kamyanske (Zaporozhye West of Orikhiv)
The Economic War
Russia Will Respond To British Theft
In the last Update, I reported on Kier Starmer’s plan to steal frozen Russian funds to give to Ukraine. Speaker of the Russian Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin has pointed out that Starmer is in flagrant violation of international law and will be forced to give the money back at some point - according to Tass. He also said that Russia now has every right to confiscate UK property located in Russia.
Dutch Breaking Ranks
You may have heard about Von der Leyen’s plan to spend €800 billions on joint European defence. I have no idea why she felt she had the right to do this which is why the Dutch have called her out on the matter. Dutch political parties were unanimous in their rejection of Ursula’s proposal but no single country has the power of veto over such decisions - which is shocking. But maybe the Dutch will protest in some other way. You can learn slightly more at Heaver News.
World Politics
Annalena is Rolled Out
This woman has high entertainment value and as a journalist, I will miss her: no need to comment on such garbage.
Peter Thiel
According to this report from the Islander, billionaire Peter Thiel, whose ‘fingerprints are all over the Trump Administration’ wants surveillance, control and total digitalised domination. Thiel is the architect behind Palantir which funnels intelligence to the highest bidders including Mossad, the Pentagon and the CIA. Fifteen of his operatives are buried in Trump’s administration. According to the Islander, Thiel is ‘ultra-Zionist, ultra-Swamp and high priest of the technocratic order’. His empire ‘exists to turn Western governments into a fusion of AI, intelligence contracting and permanent surveillance’. Such reports are sobering. I wonder, to what extent is he pulling Trump’s strings?
Trump Collaborating with Soros - Berlectic
Brian Berletic of the New Atlas, also urges caution in celebrating Trump’s policies since he appears to be collaborating with George Soros around questionable ‘human rights’ issues in China concerning the Uyghurs. China has been accused of genocide with regard to the latter for years but unlike, Gaza, which Trump is ignoring, there is absolutely no evidence. Brian takes the view that there is much more continuity than is realised between the Biden Administration and that of Trump. Here he focusses on the US’s continued policy of promoting separatism in China: in Taiwan and in Xinjiang and Taiwan. Once such places are separated they will become easy prey for the US. Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State, has been supporting this effort at separatism for years alongside organisations such as the National Endowment for Democracy.
Poland Prepares For War
Donald Tusk has announced that all adult males will be prepared for war by the end of the year. Poland will also seek to gain access to nuclear weapons, will withdraw from anti-personnel mines treaties - and will employ cluster munitions in battle. Tusk also wants to increase the presence of EU and NATO troops on the border with Russia and Belarus.
Trump on Denuclearisation
According to Sputnik, Donald J is pushing for a denuclearlisation deal with China and Russia, possible because he knows that the US could not possibly win a nulcear arms race.
Carney New Canadian PM
Former Central Banker, Mark Carney has become Canada’s new PM. Carney supports Ukraine, like his predecessor and is opposed to Canada joining the US. Bye, bye Chrystia Freeland.
Georgescu Will Not Run For President
The Central Electoral Bureau has refused to approve his candidacy and, predictably, his appeal to the Constitutional Court failed. However, I think this story has some legs in it yet. Some are calling this ‘an annulment of democracy’. Romanian citizens have taken to the streets calling for revolution.
In response, Nationalist MPs in the Romanian parliament have gone on strike. You can read more at Zero Hedge.
Meloni Breaks Ranks
Giorgiaoni is boycotting the ‘coalition of the willing’s video conference.
Protests
Paris - Pour La Paix
On March 9th, thousands protested in Paris asking for peace and Macron’s resignation. The protest was organised by the Patriots Party. ‘We will not die for Ukraine’, they chanted.
Madrid in the Rain
Protesters demanded an end to military and financial assistance to Ukraine and called for the country to remain neutral. They will no longer pay their taxes for ‘someone else’s war'.
The emerging Multi-Polar World
Alex Krainer on the Economic Basis of Western Wars
Alex Krainer is a former hedge fund manage who grew up in Yugoslavia. He has long been puzzled as to the motivation behind the many wars of conquest in which Westerns have been engaged since the Ancient Greeks, through the Roman, Spanish, Dutch, British Empires to the current American Hegemon. The explanation concerns ‘collateral’ which the conquest and exploitation of other nations allows the West to accumulate. He believes that the British Empire is still in place to a limited extent and has been attempting to exploit and manipulate Ukraine as a gateway to securing massive amounts of Russian collateral to keep the Western system going. This could explain why the Europeans can’t let go of Ukraine: they haven’t given up hope of securing Russian collateral.
I found his arguments convincing as presented in the first 17 minutes of this video. If you are not used to economic arguments you may have to listen to it twice - but it will be worth the time imv. Those who are familiar with Mackinder’s Heartland theory will probably understand what he is saying. Last week, I provided some speculation with regard to possible moral and psychological reasons for the European obsession with continuing the war in Ukraine but Krainer provides economic and political reasons which can be better understood by watching the whole one hour long video. Krainer explains why the US is abandoning Ukraine and the Europeans and provides a gloomy prognosis of the European situation which could involve a return to 1930’s Germany.
Pezeshkian Defies Trump
In response to Donald Trump’s threat of military action should Iran not negotiate, President Masoud Pezeshkian said: ‘Do whatever damn thing you can. I will not negotiate with you even under threats’. Little does Trump appreciates that if the US strikes Iran, Israel will get the bloody nose. This is a sign of the times.
Well - that’s it for another eventful week that may have made some heads spin. Many thanks for your views, subscriptions, shares, follows, restacks and comments. Have a good week. Best Rob
O the realm of the dwarf king with moobs
Got deflowered by thrusts in her tubes
They had turned off the gas
Which turned out to be rash
Now their foe has them grasped by the pubes
The US and Trump lost all legitimacy, in my view, when they turned intelligence to Ukraine back on. Supporting the killing of Russian citizens is a bad faith action, and unless something is going on behind the scenes, Russia should just focus on finishing the job, militarily.
Appreciate the update, as always, Rob.