18 Mar, 2025 19:50 (I thought this is very accurate, intuitive and concise analysis of who PDJT is.)

Fyodor Lukyanov: Putin and Trump usher in an era of new diplomacy-

The US president sees Ukraine as a failing asset, not an ally1/2

Just two months ago, the idea of serious negotiationsbetween Russia and the United States over Ukraine – let alone a broader normalization of relations –seemed like utopia. Yet today, what once appeared impossible is happening. It proves that, with realism and a genuine will to achieve results, much can be accomplished. However, two extremes must be avoided: one is the illusion that everything will be resolved quickly and painlessly, and the other is the cynical belief that any agreement is fundamentally unattainable.

It is the White House that is driving this political and diplomatic effort. Russia, as it has reiterated many times, is responding to goodwill with a readiness for meaningful dialogue. Meanwhile, Western Europe is playing the role of the perennial spoiler – grumbling and obstructing – but lacking the military and political weight to stop or reverse the process. As for Ukraine, it resists, knowing its survival depends on American support. Despite its reluctance, Kiev is being told behind the scenes by its European backers that following Washington’s lead is inevitable.

Trump the deal-maker, not the ideologue

The key to understanding Washington’s approach came in Donald Trump’s now-infamous conversation with Vladimir Zelensky. When askedwhether America was “on Ukraine’s side,” Trump responded thatthe US was not on anyone’s side– it simply wanted to end the war and achieve peace.This was a revolutionary statement. Until now, no Western politician could answer such a question without reflexively declaring full support for Ukraine’s fight against Russia. But by positioning the US as a mediator rather than a partisan backer,Trump has completely shifted the tone of American engagement.

Trump’s view of mediation is clear: pressure both sides into agreeing to a ceasefire, and then leave them to negotiate their future coexistence – perhaps without further American involvement. In reality, the latter part of the process does not interest Trump much, if at all. His camp sees the war as an unnecessary drain on US resources, a burden America doesn’t need. Their priority is to extricate the US, not to secure ideological victories or long-term commitments.

This explains why Trump is applying much harsher pressure on Ukraine than on Russia.In his eyes, Ukraine is a troubled asset with bad management at the helm– one that is bleeding American money and needs restructuring. From the standpoint of a businessman, the “major shareholder” (Washington) is demanding damage control and cost-cutting from the “management” (Zelensky and his administration). Ukraine’s leaders are being forced to make concessions where possible, but their ability to maneuver is limited.

Russia as a great power, not a dependent state

The pressure on Russia is of a different nature. Unlike Ukraine, Russia is not dependent on the US and remains a major power with its own interests. Trump’s 2017 National Security Strategy defined great power rivalry as the defining feature of modern geopolitics, and this still holds true. Moreover, Trump has long feared nuclear war – something he has spoken about publicly for decades, even before he entered politics. He blames Joe Biden forbringing the world to the brink of nuclear escalation without a clear objective. This concern acts as a moderating force in Trump’s approach to Russia. While he may exert pressure, he will avoid steps that could provoke further escalation.

https://www.rt.com/russia/614445-putin-and-trump-new-era/

>>22783992

2/2

At the same time, Trump’s remark about being “on no one’s side” applies to Russia as well. He is uninterested in the historical or cultural complexities of the Ukraine conflict.However, credit must be given where it is due: Trump has shown a willingness to abandon the rigid dogmasthat have shaped Western policy toward Russia for years.

He has taken decisive steps toward understanding Moscow’s position in a way that previous US leaders refused to do.

Trump’s negotiating style is built on pressure and brinkmanship, but ultimately, he believes a deal requires concessions from both sides.This is a businessman’s approach: force the other party to the table, hold a tough line, but ultimately hammer out an agreement that serves mutual interests.

The end of ideological hegemony

What distinguishes Trump from his predecessors is that he is not seeking global hegemony based on ideology.Unlike the liberal interventionists who preceded him, Trump has little interest in abstract ideas. He views American dominance in the world not as a matter of spreading democracy or human rights, but as the ability to secure concrete gains – especially economic ones.His approach, inherited from the business world, is pragmatic: regulatory constraints are obstacles to be bypassed rather than guiding principles. This flexibility, especially in international law and foreign policy, provides room to maneuver and opens paths that previously seemed blocked. In the context of Ukraine, it is an asset –dogmatic thinking has only led to stalemate.

However, Trump sees negotiations as a process of mutual compromise. If he believes Ukraine must make concessions, he also believes Russia must do the same. From his perspective,any deal must be reciprocal; otherwise, it is unfair. This presents both challenges and opportunities for Moscow.

Real diplomacy returns

Above all, the most important development is that real diplomacy has returned. Behind closed doors, intensive negotiations are unfolding – complex, high-stakes discussions with no predetermined outcomes. For years, diplomacy in the Western world had degenerated into a one-sided lecture: the US and its allies dictated terms, and the only question was how quickly the other side would comply. Now, that era is over.The art of real diplomacy – balancing power, recognizing mutual interests, and engaging in direct, substantive talks – is making a comeback.

For the first time in decades, Washington and Moscow are engaging as equals, navigating the complexities of power politics without the ideological baggage of the past. And that, more than anything, is what makes this moment so significant. For the first time in years, there is a real chance of finding a resolution – because finally, there are real negotiations.

https://www.rt.com/russia/614445-putin-and-trump-new-era/

By Fyodor Lukyanov, the editor-in-chief of Russia in Global Affairs, chairman of the Presidium of the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy, and research director of the Valdai International Discussion Club.

18 Mar, 2025 16:38

Russia to discuss space cooperation with Musk

President Vladimir Putin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev has described the US-based billionaire as a “unique leader” focused on moving humanity forward

Russian sovereign wealth fund head Kirill Dmitrievhas announced plans to talk to Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, about collaborative opportunities in the space sector.

In a statement to RIA on Tuesday, Dmitriev, who is President Vladimir Putin’s special representative for international economic and investment cooperation, said he envisions broader cooperation with Musk, emphasizing the robust capabilities of national organizations like Roscosmos and Rosatom.

”I think that there will certainly be discussions with Musk in the near future, and we believe that Musk is a unique leader who is focused on humanity moving forward together,” Dmitriev told reporters, praising the billionaire’s focus on the need to “move forward creatively.”

Earlier this month,Dmitriev also proposed that Musk launch a joint US-Russia Mars exploration mission in 2029, saying on X that“our minds and technologies should serve the glory of humanity, not its destruction.”

In his remarks on Tuesday, however, Dmitriev stressed that the idea of working together with Musk extends beyond Mars, and is about leveraging the “strong competencies of both Roscosmos and Rosatom” to make space missions more efficient and safe.

Musk has previously outlined ambitious plans for Mars, aiming to launch a mission as early as 2026. The SpaceX founder says one of the company’s Starship spacecraft will blast off for Mars next year carrying a Tesla humanoid robot called Optimus. Musk has also suggested that human landings on Mars could begin as early as 2029.

Dmitriev’s comments on future collaboration with Muskcome amid improving US-Russia relations. Following high-level talks in Saudi Arabia last month, where Dmitriev was part of the Russian delegation, both sides agreed to begin work on restoring diplomatic ties and discuss potential future economic and scientific collaboration in various sectors, including space exploration.

https://www.rt.com/russia/614423-russia-musk-space-cooperation/

1/2

Video to follow up

https://x.com/charliekirk11/status/1902015753894945077

>>22784125kEKKITY

Charlie Kirk

@charliekirk11

Special PSA to all the deranged TDS and EDS criminals keying Teslas.

Teslas have something called Sentry Mode that will automatically record you in the act of vandalizing the car.

The internet will make you famous, you will be caught, and you will be severely punished

Libs of TikTok

@libsoftiktok

·16h

Does anyone recognize this dude who keyed a Tesla at the Dallas airport?

11:14 AM · Mar 18, 2025

·1.1M Views

https://x.com/charliekirk11/status/1902015753894945077

>>22784153

expand the video, you can see his face and just about his fingerprints, and him keying the car.

2 HOURS AGO WILLIAM UPTON

ANALYSIS

LAWFARE: Judge Falsifies USAID Origins in Anti-Trump Order Rebuking ‘Unconstitutional’ Foreign Aid Freeze.

A federal judge, in a ruling aimed at restoring the core functions of the defunct United States Agency for International Development (USAID),appeared either to not know or, indeed, falsify how the agency was created. The bizarreerror will now call into question the validity of his ruling Tuesday, which even seeks to reopen building access for dismissed USAID employees.

U.S. District Court Judge Theodore D. Chuang, who serves on the Federal District Court of Maryland bench and was appointed by former President Barack Obama,claims that Congress created USAIDand, therefore, it cannot be shut down solely through presidential authority.However, this is not the case.

“For the foregoing reasons, the Court finds that Defendants’ actions taken to shut down USAID on an accelerated basis, including its apparent decision to permanently close USAID headquarters without the approval of a duly appointed USAID Officer, likely violated the United States Constitution in multiple ways, and that these actions harmed not only Plantiffs, but also the public interest, because they deprived the public’s elected representatives in Congress of their constitutional authority to decide whether, when, and how to close down agency created by Congress,”

Judge Chuang wrote, ordering: “Accordingly, the Motion for a Preliminary Injunction will be GRANTED IN PART and DENIED IN PART.

The Motion will be granted in that the Court will issue the accompanying Preliminary Injunction. The Motion will be otherwise denied.”

While Chuang does not order that fired USAID workers be reinstated, the injunction does appear to restrict President Donald J. Trump‘s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from making any further cuts to USAID. It leaves open the possibility that the agency could be restored entirely to its status before the U.S. State Department absorbed its functions. However, Judge Chuang’s order is based on an incorrect assertion regarding the constitutional nature of USAID itself.

HISTORY OF USAID.

Congress did not, in fact, create the foreign aid agency. Rather, it was created through an executive order signed in 1961 by the late President John F. Kennedy, as recently noted by The National Pulse Editor-in-Chief Raheem Kassam. Kennedy saw the agency’s mission as temporary, only necessary for an especially tense and strategically critical phase of the Cold War.

Kennedy’s executive order aimed to create a new agency (USAID), consolidating several foreign aid organizations that already existed but were uncoordinated in their efforts. Congress did not create USAID but later provided authorizing language under the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998. Specifically, the law’s language states: “…there is within the Executive branch of Government the United States Agency for International Development…”

Again, Judge Chuang’s ruling runs into a problem, as the eventual authorizing statute only states that such an agency in name shall exist—but it leaves specific functions up to the executive branch. However, Judge Chuang appears to be ordering thereinstatement of certain functions, something not granted by Congress to the judiciary and statutorily granted to the President.

Additionally, the 1998 law gives the President a degree of leeway in reforming the agency, which arguably President Donald J. Trump did in transferring most of its core functions to the State Department.

https://thenationalpulse.com/analysis-post/lawfare-judge-falsifies-usaid-origins-in-anti-trump-order-rebuking-unconstitutional-foreign-aid-freeze/