Trump wants to see more than just a minerals deal to restart aid and intel to Ukraine
Category: News & Politics
Via: john-russell • 10 hours ago • 34 commentsBy: Courtney Kube, Kristen Welker and Carol E. Lee (NBC News)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
By Courtney Kube, Kristen Welker and Carol E. Lee
WASHINGTON — As U.S. and Ukrainian officials prepare to meet in Saudi Arabia this week, President Donald Trump has privately made clear to aides that a signed minerals deal between Washington and Kyiv won't be enough to restart aid and intelligence sharing with the war-torn country, according an administration official and another U.S. official.
Trump wants the deal, which would give the U.S. a stake in Ukraine's mineral resources, signed. But he also wants to see a change in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's attitude toward peace talks, the officials said, including a willingness to make concessions such as giving up territory to Russia. Trump also wants Zelenskyy to make some movement toward elections in Ukraine and possibly toward stepping down as his country's leader, the officials said.
Elections in Ukraine have been paused under the country's constitutional provision for martial law, which has been in effect since Russia invaded in 2022.
"As President Trump demonstrated by reading President Zelenskyy's message at the joint session, the Ukrainians have made positive movement. With meetings in Saudi this coming week, we look forward to hearing more positive movement that will hopefully ultimately end this brutal war and bloodshed," White House National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes said when asked about Trump's requirements.
Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukraine in the aftermath of the U.S. pause in equipment and intelligence sharing this week, making Friday one of the deadliest days for civilians this year, according to the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. Most of the casualties occurred in the Donetsk region, in territory controlled by Ukraine. Casualty numbers have been higher so far in 2025 than in 2024, the monitoring agency said.
The U.S. does not have any indication that the pause in intelligence sharing had a direct impact on the Russian attacks, according to the U.S. official and the administration official. They said these large attacks were likely planned before the intelligence and aid stopped.
Congressional Republicans are applying pressure on the White House to restart both aid and intelligence, and the two officials said they are optimistic the flow of weapons and equipment and sharing of intelligence could be restored as early as next week, especially after Zelenskyy pronounced that Ukraine is "ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible." The Ukrainian president also said he and his team "stand ready to work under President Trump's strong leadership to get a peace that lasts."
The officials said the U.S. is still sharing defensive intelligence with Ukraine — that is, information that helps Ukraine's self-defense against attacks — explaining that they still have a duty to warn. But they are not providing targeting information against Russian targets. That means the U.S. can warn Ukraine when intelligence shows that Russians are preparing an attack, but they can no longer provide the targeting coordinates for Ukraine to strike first.
The U.S. has provided Ukraine with targeting information, satellite imagery and signals intelligence for most of the past three years. European allies are now working to bridge some of the gaps, but the lack of U.S. intelligence is already having an impact on Ukraine every day, according to a Western official.
"Every day hurts Ukraine, and every day gives Russia a more favorable position," the official said.
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Trump has betrayed Americas commitment to Ukraine. He has put a lasting stain on America's honor.
What imaginary world do people live in who think Ukraine isn’t going to have to surrender some Land? People need to look at a map rather than think some magical fairy or “history” as devout marxists call it, is going to step in and push Russia out of Ukraine because Ukrainians are good people and bad things don’t happen to good people.
Granted the "best generation" is almost all gone in this country but Europe remembers their own history very well.
They lived with or behind the Iron Curtain and it's really up to them to not allow the taking of properties by force start again.
After all, Americans still remember defeating the largest combined Army and Navy in the world, not once but twice in 1781 and 1812 and the Europeans certainly remember Americans defeating the Germans and the Japanese after being knocked on their asses at Pearl Harbor.
Maybe there are more optimists than pessimists in Europe.
Trump should:
Then with that more leveled playing field, devise (he has plenty of resources available to him to do this) several scenarios for peace where both sides lose something but gain enough to come to terms. For example, Russia needs to at least save face so they need to walk away with some token land. Ukraine wants security so they should either have membership in NATO or the security guarantee of NATO even if not fully a member.
There are many possible scenarios but none of them will work as long as Trump is actively lying about Ukraine, throwing them under the bus, cutting off aid, cutting off information, and parroting Putin's talking points so that Putin can play this propaganda 24x7 on Russian media.
But Trump will not do this because (obviously) his plan all along was to force Ukraine to capitulate.
Three years of doing those things led to Ukrain slowly losing land and the war. With Ukraine running out of troops why in the world do you think doing the Same thing will have magical results on the ground?
Not sure why you do not see the difference between 'doing the same thing' and creating a more powerful, united front to level the playing field followed by real scenarios and real negotiation where both sides get enough to agree to peace.
But that is your problem ... you need to do the math.
That is some pie in the sky wish that would not happen if anyone was the president. They are already giving all they are willing to give, any thought they Trump being involved would magically make everyone give more is ridiculous. More likely it is just another way for the Trump haters to claim orange man bad.
The playing field is not even, that is a fact. Putin has no problem throwing people at the problem. That is a fact. We are not willing to do so, that is a fact. Putin is in a position of strength, all the saber rattling will be just that, an empty threat.
Time to face reality.
Oh right.. Trump's words will blow Russian troops back to Russia. That was Biden's problem. He never recognized Russia as the invader and aggressor. If he did, the Russians would have been powerless to resist.
nd creating a more powerful, united front to level the playing field fo
Were Biden and Europe not united in purpose? I guess I gave Biden too much credit. Here I thought he did call Russia an aggressor and did work with Europe for three years to defeat Russia.
you need to do the math.
Unless you have magic beans that turn into Ukrainian soldiers, than I suggest you do the math. Because name calling Russia and holding hands really tightly with Europe isn't going to push Russia out of Ukraine. Troops are. And Ukraine doesn't have enough to sustain the massive casualties it would take to accomplish that.
And it looks like they are going to have even less if the reports of the defeat in Kursk are true.
You cannot conceive of the European support growing more unified and stronger behind Ukraine? Well step one is to open your eyes because that is what is taking place right now.
You cannot see of a PotUS could have the USA assume its traditional role (that which was true before Trump became PotUS)? Really?
You cannot see how the resources of the US government could put together plausible scenarios for peace other than forcing Ukraine to capitulate?
No shit, man. Time to open your eyes and break free of the Trump fantasy.
Did I write that?
Were Biden and Europe not united in purpose?
Yet again, Trump support resorting to lies rather than making an honest argument.
3.1. fails to realize its own 'speaker,' Trump, concedes nothing to anybody in his own dealings with his surroundings. . . so why should he, Trump, expect less of Ukraine?
What that war needs is a demilitarized zone between Russia and Ukraine. And if need be, Belarus too. Because the territorial circumstances and reality will never change: that is, Ukraine can not 'up' and move away from the 'armpit' of Russia. And Russia simply won't let Ukraine 'rest' with its own destiny.
Unless, NATO simply and quickly votes Ukraine in at some point in time - away from the present heat and fire of this war.
Trump is disabling Ukraine. As he put it: Ukraine would not be able to stand on its own without U.S. aid. . . and is posturing. . . what a weird and whether "exotic" perception for the U.S. president to take about any perceived friendly and free nation facing war. . . but, Trump is signifying something: He is not now and maybe never has been Ukraine's 'friend' in the White House or out of it!
And why is it taking place? Why wait three years to do it? WHat has changed that made them decide to do more?
That worked great, lets do it some more.
Again, that time has come and gone
Break free from the Trump hatred and try to look at things logically. Again, The playing field is not even, that is a fact. Putin has no problem throwing people at the problem. That is a fact. We are not willing to do so, that is a fact. Putin is in a position of strength, all the saber rattling will be just that, an empty threat. Face the facts, not what you would like to blame Trump for.
What makes you think that the playing field can ever become "level"? Putin is not likely to give up anything. It's too late for a "united" Europe to do anything, and the US isn't about ready to go to war with Russia.
What role is that? Troops on the ground? More weapons? More billions of dollars we can't afford?
You're the one who appears to livr in a dream world of make believe.
What makes you think that the playing field can ever become "level"?
Claiming something can happen when the reality is that it can't and blaming trump for it not happening is a little desperate.
By comparison, this U.S. president has no problem throwing 'people' and resources into fighting perceived enemies like say, HAMAS in Gaza; and, Iran over achieving nuclear weapons. So it appears the 'problem' for this administration lies somewhere else and you stated it in your last paragraph:
"We are not willing to do so, that is a fact."
And why not?
Well, here is a thought: Trump stated in a recent Q and A at the white house that, 'Putin stood by me with the 'Russia, Russia, Russia witch-hunt.' While in contrast, in Trump's first presidency where he lost the second election attempt, Zelneskyy did not capitulate to the pressure from Trump to "dig up dirt on Joe Biden ahead of the 2020 election.
And so, what we clearly have here support for the dictator who masquerades as freely elected by his people, and the promised 'retribution' from Trump against Zelenskyy that is going to negatively affect the 'free world' experience.
Why does MAGA support proliferation of Russian propaganda in the GOP?
Irrelevant. The past cannot be changed. Change must be done in the present.
Such utterly simplistic reasoning. You seem to not recognize that making a stronger alliance with strong commitments is not doing the same thing. This is such a basic idea, it is a challenge to make it easier to understand. Try this, in a race, if you have the ability to push the accelerator more and thus generate more speed, that is still just pushing the accelerator (as you have been doing) but it is not in effect just 'doing the same thing'.
And in this case, a strong alliance, with stronger support (for example the UK providing air support), and a renewed long-term commitment all designed to bring Putin to the negotiation table is absolutely NOT simply doing the same thing.
And that can be easily reversed ... Trump can easily do that as I have outlined. Further, you seem to have an unrealistic understanding of Russia. Their army is diminished, they are suffering 21% interest rates, 9%+ inflation rate, their economy is stressed, their people are weary of burying their husbands and sons. The idea that the free world cannot put more pressure on Putin is naive.
You need to quit accepting everything Trump does and says and start looking at the world objectively.
The question is how you can actually believe that the free world is out of options. You are not paying attention.
Go do some research and learn what the USA's traditional role as leader of the free world means.
And yet, Trump is lending the weight of negotiating power and its influence to Russia. And we can all agreed Russia is not to StUPId to understand that what they have 'done' for Trump is being about to bring 'receipts.'
That is absurd. Unless something has changed the same obstacle that existed in the past still exists. And the only thing that has changed is Russia is in a stronger position now than it was at the start of the war.
You seem to have trouble understanding there is no stronger alliance and there won't be as long as Putin has nukes. That is what has been stopping the alliance all along and why the war has been strung out.
Dream on, dream on
Dream on, dream until them dreams come true
Of course is can S/
As much as it may be hard to believe I am not even talking or thinking about Trump. I am looking at a 3 year war in which both sides have taken beatings but Ukraine much more so. I am looking at Putin which has given no signal that he is inclined to give any land back and has no problem sending more people to war. I am looking at a country that is ruled by an actual dictator. You need to quit looking at everything through a Trump lens. It does not allow independent thought.
So you just refuse to recognize the difference I have outlined. A feeble tactic when you have no rebuttal.
A ridiculous comment coming for a Trump apologist.
I recognize it, I just don't buy it.
A feeble tactic when you have no rebuttal.
A feeble accusation when you are trying to sell your opinion as fact.
That is funny
I consider it despicable.
A hat trick, cool
The time for us to do what you say has come and gone.
Trump is doing the right thing rather than taking the same approach that has been taken for three years, and absolutely nothing has worked.
I think he should call out Russia AND our allies in public to get them to do things they would never agree to in private conversations.
To think that "International relations" will be damaged is delusional as most of Europe relies on security themselves and they will do everything they can to keep that gravy train rolling.
Funny how the international community being told we will no longer bend over every time they want us to translates into damaging international relations for some. They are not happy about it, I can hardly blame them because the US wants to adjust the relationship so we are on a level playing field.
It reminds me of a brother in law that keeps barrowing money and when you tell him you won't lend it anymore he blames you for damaging the relationship
Brilliant 'rebuttal'.
Common response when there is nothing of value to say.
Let's not forget that Donald Trump inherited Ukraine from Joe Biden. This really is Joe Biden's quagmire. And trying to undo Biden's mistakes and screwups won't be pretty.
During Trump's first term, Trump was trying to revive the realignment between Russia and the United States that began during the Clinton administration. The Glasnost period during Clinton's two terms was an opportunity to end Cold War rivalry and establish a more congenial relationship with Russia. Russia is still a nuclear power capable of fighting a nuclear war with the United States. Why wouldn't it be better to sort things out than escalate to a nuclear exchange?
Al Qaeda and ISIS distracted the United States from further developing the post-Cold War relations with Russia. Then along came Barack Obama who squirreled the works. Obama really was one of the more inept Presidents on foreign affairs in US history. That may have been influenced by the advice of his Vice President, Joe Biden.
Joe Biden deliberately escalated tensions between Russia and the United States to score political points with the Democratic base. Joe Biden gave the green light to Vladimir Putin to invade Ukraine. Biden promised Russia that the United States would not fight. Biden dragged his feet on providing military aid to Ukraine; there was always a big time lag between Ukraine's requests and Biden releasing what was requested. Biden's management of the war suggests an expectation that Ukraine would have lost by now and would have been annexed by Russia by now. Biden's actions certainly suggested that the political desire was for Russia to rub up against NATO as a way to reassert US dominance over NATO and Europe by reviving the Cold War threat posed by Soviet Russia.
Joe Biden betrayed security commitments to Ukraine when he repeatedly stated the United States would not fight in Ukraine. That was the green light for Vladimir Putin to invade Ukraine. And Joe Biden was sending a signal to Vladimir Putin every time Biden balked at providing what Ukraine requested. Biden was twisting himself into a pretzel trying to avoid even a perception of a direct confrontation with Russia. That's great for a never-ending quagmire but it's not a good way to manage a war.
Why should Trump commit to supporting an unwinnable war? Ukraine cannot defeat Russia. And there is no guarantee that all Ukrainians would submit to the government in Kiev. All the Obama-esque foreign experts deliberately avoid the historical fact that Russia's invasion was an escalation of a Ukrainian civil war. There's no indication that the Russian invasion has reunited Ukraine. A lot of the pro-Russian Ukrainians are still pro-Russian. Zelensky cannot simply declare pro-Russian Ukrainians are terrorists and write them out of the peace negotiations. Trying to disenfranchise a large portion of Ukraine is not a path to peace. That's how the civil war started.
The fallacy is in believing that Trump will ever restart providing aid and intel to Ukraine. That is never going to happen under any circumstances. Trump has taken his position on Ukraine - betrayal - and Trump restarting aid and intel to Ukraine is never going to happen.
Trump has been steering us, our nation, with his rhetoric and actions for years. Craftily building up and stockpiling the power he needs to accomplish whatever he sets out to manifest people play with him on his own terms at their danger.
You are right in this regard. Trump has 'endlessly' signaled to this nation and the world that he is has 'priorities' which are far and beyond this nation (he is in-Charge of again) and the 'free world." Our alliances can sit around waiting for this president to stab them deeply in their proverbial backs or strike out in strategic ways to preserve themselves. Plan new alliances wisely.
And it gets worse, this 'shady' and frenzied behavior by Trump has already caused an irreparable rift in intelligence sharing, as our present allies have no way of knowing if Trump or his officials will 'sell them out' when they offer up information for our national good and/or security. Trump did that.
And now, without a doubt, this nation is a lot less secure than it was.