At the conclusion of several bilateral breakout sessions British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Trump hold a joint press conference. The largest issue on the table of conversation is the Ukraine-Russia peace agreement to stop the war and create the space for a ceasefire.
In addition to the Russia-Ukraine war, tariffs and the economic impacts from the tariff program was a key topic for media questions.
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Things in South Texas look a little sketchy. A Texas rancher was killed by an Improvised Explosive Device, and the warning from the Texas AG Commissioner is stark:
Meanwhile Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is proposing changes to the Mexican constitution in order to protect the Cartels from the designation as terrorists by the United States.
MEXICO CITY — Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum said Thursday she will propose constitutional reforms aimed at protecting Mexico’s sovereignty after U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration designated six Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
During a segment on Sean Hannity television program, DHS Secretary Kirsti Noem was asked for an update on her investigations into leaks of border patrol and ICE raids. Secretary Noem had previously said she would exhaust all available resources to “hunt down” those who leak to the media and put the lives of DHS personnel at risk.
Within the update, Noem outlines how she has located several leakers and is using polygraph machines to ferret out those within her silo operation who are trying to undermine her objective. WATCH:
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivers a statement on current operational objectives and goals within the Pentagon. In these remarks Secretary Hegseth outlines his goal and responsibility to deliver truthful information to the American people about what is going on behind the scenes. Cool Stuff. WATCH:
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Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has cancelled his planned trip to Saudi Arabia, citing his anger that he was not a participant in the U.S-Russia discussions which took place in Riyadh, earlier today. [SEE REUTERS REPORT]
“We want no one to decide anything behind our backs…No decision can be made without Ukraine on how to end the war in Ukraine,” Zelenskiy told reporters during a visit to Turkey where he held talks with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. (more)
I am not going to say much about this, except to remind readers what I mentioned yesterday morning. Things are about to get very sketchy.
[YESTERDAY] Zelensky said in an interview Sunday that his country would “never” accept a peace deal struck by the United States and Russia if Ukraine was not involved in the talks.
If Zelenskyy is in the region (UAE), watch President Trump -through Rubio- to use those recent statements by Zelenskyy and say, ‘well then, get in here and talk.’ If that were to happen, Zelenskyy would reject the move because he is entirely unprepared to operate from a position of independent leadership.
Watch this part closely because President Trump seems increasingly close to exposing the truth about the Ukraine war and how U.S. politicians are motivated in their influence positions by the financial benefits of the conflict. Sparks could fly if the pretending stops. [END]
Zelenskyy was in Poland, Germany, the UAE and Turkey since last weekend. For a nation “at war” President Zelenskyy has a lot of time to travel to various countries outside his own.
A high-level diplomatic meeting between USA and Russia has not happened in more than three years. The first goal was to figure out how to talk to each other again, what processes to use and what the consultation mechanism would be for when peace negotiations would begin. That ‘deconfliction’ goal seems to have been achieved.
Additionally, in a very positive sign, both the USA team and the Russian team agreed to return to normal embassy operations, in diplomatic speak “missions,” in both Moscow and Washington DC, that includes staffing support to reestablish contacts and communications. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Michael Waltz and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff spoke to reporters after their meeting with the Russian delegation in Saudi Arabia.
Pay close attention to the specific words Marco Rubio uses at 14:40 of the video, in the bigger of the big pictures, that is the goal of President Trump and President Putin. WATCH:
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – […] The U.S. team was led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and National Security Adviser Michael Waltz. The Russian negotiating delegation included Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov and Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the U.S. team agreed to establish “a consultation mechanism to address irritants to our bilateral relationship with the objective of taking steps necessary to normalize the operation of our respective diplomatic missions.” Rubio told the Associated Press the two sides agreed to restore embassy staffing as part of this normalization.
Rubio departed Israel for his visit to Saudi Arabia where two major topics are on the agenda. The U.S. Secretary was welcomed by Saudi Foreign Minster Faisal bin Farhan and is scheduled to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. On the agenda today is what to do about Gaza, tomorrow the discussion changes direction to address Ukraine.
Saudi Arabia has expressed opposition to the Trump plan for the temporary relocation of Gaza Palestinians while a complete restructuring, revitalization and rebuilding of the region takes place. However, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt have not proposed an alternative to the Trump plan.
Saudi Arabia (MbS), Egypt (al-SiSi) and Jordan (King Abdullah II) have balked at the idea of Israeli Prime Mister Benjamin Netanyahu that Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan temporarily host Palestinian refugees; a plan suggested by President Trump. Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan do not want more Palestinians to worry about.
Ultimately, Secretary Rubio is in Saudi Arabia to ask Crown Prince MbS directly, if not the Trump plan – then what? What solution can be proposed by the Arabs that creates long lasting stability, peace and the opportunity for residents in Gaza to live without terrorism, Hamas, chaos and war?
♦ Tomorrow the agenda switches to discuss the Russia -v- Ukraine conflict. Secretary Rubio will be joined by Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. The Russian delegation includes Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, President Vladimir Putin’s aide Yuri Ushakov and Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund.
Oddly, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in the region; however, according to most public reporting he is not expected to participate in the U.S-Russia negotiations. I would not be surprised if something in the background is triggered by President Trump that pulls-in Zelenskyy while the Ukraine President is in Saudi Arabia.
Earlier today, President Donald Trump held an impromptu press conference after departing Air Force 1 returning from Daytona International Speedway. President Trump took several questions about ongoing discussions with Ukraine, Europe, Saudi Arabia and Russia.
President Trump repeats what he asked both Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, “do you want peace.” It is the core question that determines the direction for optimal solutions. WATCH:
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This is a good compare and contrast scenario. Yesterday Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Vice-President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Trump delegation. [SEE HERE] The bitterness, tension and anger in the room was palpable; this was a hostile meeting and the Ukranian team acted like they were meeting with enemies.
When you understand how corrupt the Ukraine officials are, and when you accept that President Trump is ending the funding to their family bank accounts, the Ukraine anger toward the Trump administration is understandable. The Ukranian government officials hate President Trump with a passion.
Compare yesterday’s meeting to what you see below. The U.S. congressional delegation (CODEL) to the Munich Security Conference consists of key Republicans (DeceptiCons) and corrupt Democrats who fund the Ukraine money laundry. A process that includes kick-backs of the proceeds to the bank accounts of the Republicans and Democrats present. Watch the greeting:
This is why our senators were too busy to get Kash Patel confirmed over the 3 day weekend.
They had much more important business in Munich sucking up to the little dictator and welfare queen Zelensky. pic.twitter.com/nkaC4K88JM
— Patriot Lady (@angelwoman501) February 15, 2025
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse even tells Zelenskyy, “You’re among friends here.”
Watch again without sound. Expand full screen if on laptop. Notice how Adam Schiff (at the end of the table) is looking at the cameras, then playing it smart because he can see the optics are not good. All of these congressional delegation members receive kickbacks as part of their indulgence package, many sit on the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
Senators include: Chris Murphy, Roger Wicker, Sheldon Whitehouse, Lindsey Graham, John Cornyn, Jeanne Shaheen, Chris Coons, Thom Tillis, Chris Van Hollen, Joni Ernst, Elissa Slotkin, Adam Schiff, and one more I cannot quite make out, possibly Peter Welch.
Every one of these senators are working against the Trump administration, openly or under cover. Every one!
Roger Wicker was Pete Hegseth’s legislative confirmation guide and the republican Senator who went bananas yesterday when Secretary Hegseth said Ukraine would not gain NATO membership. You will easily remember Joni Ernst immediate opposition to Hegseth also.
You might want to watch this brief video a few times, once with the sound low or off and pay attention to the body language of the participants as the remarks to the media are delivered. Vice-President Vance opens the remarks followed by President Zelenskyy, then back to JD Vance.
Marco Rubio is stone cold focused (perf). JD Vance is personable and pragmatic. Zelenskyy is deferring and at the very end the Ukrainian officials exhibit the attitude they are known for within Eastern Europe. Perhaps Americans don’t know because Western media hide it, but the scope of corruption within the Ukrainian government is so well known, most Eastern Europeans view current Ukranian govt officials as mere financial beneficiaries to the indulgences of war. WATCH:
All over Europe Ukranian govt officials are seen driving exotic cars, arriving in multi-million-dollar yachts, staying at the most expensive hotels, shopping at exclusive stores, buying jewelry and watches. They Ukraine military and govt officials are generally living a life of stunning opulence and overwhelming indulgence. When you travel there, people simply nod toward the visibility of it and say, “Ukraine.” It’s an open joke, and they are hated.
Generally speaking, the government officials from Ukraine are considered vile, vulgar, rude and cruel by the ‘simple people’ who see them. And trust me, it is impossible to miss their arrogance. I never had an opinion about them until I witnessed it myself. The vibe they give off is foul.