Summary
A European Parliament member claimed that the U.S. gave Europe three weeks to agree on Ukraine’s “surrender” terms or risk an American withdrawal from Europe.
Mika Aaltola made the claim on X, but provided no evidence. NBC News reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested a U.S. troop reduction in Europe.
Trump reportedly plans to cut 20,000 troops and demand greater NATO contributions. He has pushed for higher NATO defense spending.
Trump may meet with Putin soon, believing Russia holds the upper hand in negotiations.
Fuck him. First, he’ll do what we wants regardless of whether you concede to his demands. If we wants to withdraw troops, he’ll withdraw them, no matter what concessions you make to him in hopes of preventing that. Look at his history. Look at how he has treated the other party in Every. Single. One. of the “deals” that he’s made. He fucks them over. NEVER believe he’ll hold up his side of whatever bargain you make. He won’t.
Don’t ever concede to this bully. The more you concede, the more demands he’ll make, like with a blackmailer. Call his bluff. Say, “Sorry, we don’t agree. If that means you’ll withdraw, then don’t let the screen door hit ya where the good lord split ya on the way out.” Bam! End of bullying and if he didn’t want to withdraw, he’ll find some excuse no to go through with it (or probably just lie and say you agreed to do something for him behind the scenes).
Ukraine can’t survive without US assistance.
Maybe not, even probably not, but with Europe’s help it can at least keep fighting for now, with the possibility that something could happen in US or Russia to change the equation in that time. That’s all very uncertain, but what is certain is that if Europe agrees to this Putin/Trump terms of surrender, it’s over for Ukraine immediately. And then other countries will be next.
We don’t know for certain whether other countries will be next or not.
Europe providing more support for Ukraine hoping for a miracle might lead to more suffering for Ukrainians and just more territory losses. That’s a risky bet. It also feels like a half hearted measure. Might be time Europe goes all in it really thinks Russia is an existential threat.
We do know for certain, we know Putin’s plans, he’s not exactly keeping them secret. In this new situation that is more positive for him, he has no reason to suddenly choose not to continue.
I insist that we don’t know for certain what Putin’s plans are. If you are so sure yourself, would you bet your most valuable possession on it?
Besides, if you are so sure of that, isn’t time for European countries to drastically ramp up support for Ukraine and join the war?