Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban not only represents a friendly European voice to the objectives of the Trump administration, but also Orban is a close personal friend of President Trump both in and out of office.

Trump and Orban have long held a very close relationship, including friendship with the family of First Lady Melania Trump.  They are all very close – Shinzo Abe-type close – both from the White House and time in Mar-a-Lago.

On November 7, 2025, Prime Minister Viktor Orban again visited President Trump in the White House, including dinner with the Trump cabinet.  Then, word of the Ukraine corruption scandal broke.

A week following the White House visit (November 14) Prime Minister Orban said, “The golden illusion of Ukraine is falling apart. A wartime mafia network with countless ties to President Zelensky has been exposed. The energy minister has already resigned, and the main suspect has fled the country. This is the chaos into which the Brusselian elite want to pour European taxpayers’ money, where whatever isn’t shot off on the front lines ends up in the pockets of the war mafia. Madness. Thank you, but we want no part of this.”

The direct and non-pretending remarks from Viktor Orban highlighted a sense of the issue carried by a majority of the commonsense people around Russia, Europe, America and the world in general.  However, soon thereafter, as President Trump, Steve Witkoff and Marco Rubio were delivering deliberate terms to finally end the conflict, the Western intelligence network leaked an intercepted phone call between Witkoff and Putin’s senior foreign policy advisor, Ushakov.

The intelligence apparatus, likely originating from the U.K., purposefully wanted to disrupt all this peaceful resolution effort. The conflict has both benefactors and beneficiaries that do not want peace, both here and in Europe.

(more…)

A Russian person could not visit New York, Chicago and Los Angeles and then say they visited The United States and have an understanding of Americans.  They might think they understand, but any American would giggle at the notion.

Conversely, the same is true in Russia.  You cannot visit Moscow, St Petersburg and Kazan and think you have an understanding of Russians.  However, if you give yourself time, join in the daily tasks and challenges of ordinary Russians, you can easily discover some of the deeper stuff that really puts context on life in the Russian Federation.

Perhaps what follows is a different perspective.

It took a while, but I finally figured out what this phrase “the Motherland” is all about.

Let me start by sharing another phrase that almost every American will find familiar, yet virtually every Russian asked has no reference to comprehend: “you work for us.”

When talking to a federal, state or local government official in the United States and saying, “you work for us,” everyone listening would completely understand your sentiment.  However, in Russia that phrase is akin to asking a Martian for a canoe.   This is the way to understand “the motherland.”

Within Russia the social compact is organized around the premise (key word “premise“), that government is the mother figure within a family – and all of the citizens are children.   The government knows best.  The state engages in all facets, systems and structures as if they are the omnipotent mother who cares about the children.

Women, the generally forgotten sense of the word woman, are held in high esteem, and “Women’s Day” is the biggest holiday throughout the federation.

The people of Russia generally accept this system.  Generations and generations of compliant, well behaved, very structured and regimented ideology still permeates.  The muscle memory is deepest in the psychological muscles that run through generations.

Oddly, this social compact is understood, but only understood insofar as the Russian people do not have any other reference point, or alternative system that would enable them to see the deficit in the oppressive system that surrounds them.

The average Russian knows the “West” is different but doesn’t really know why the social system they see outside their window seemingly operates with well-organized randomness.  What is this efficiency within unbridled capitalism you speak of, and why would Americans be willing to give it up?

(more…)

Earlier this month Ukrainian businessman Tymur Mindich, co-owner of Kvartal 95 the Ukrainian TV production company Volodymyr Zelenskyy founded before he became president, fled the country as the NABU (National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine) announced results from a widespread corruption probe.

Money given to Ukraine for subsidies was being skimmed from the energy sector by several high-profile government and business officials. The NABU probe and raids on offices to discover document trails of the officials is ongoing.

Today, NABU officials raided the home of Andriy Yermak (pictured left), head of the Office of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Simultaneous with the raid, Zelenskyy announced the firing of Yermak from his office:

“There will be a reset of the Office of the President of Ukraine. The Head of the Office, Andriy Yermak, has submitted his resignation. I am grateful to Andriy for always representing Ukraine’s position on the negotiation track exactly as it should be represented. It has always been a patriotic position. But I want to eliminate any rumors and speculation.” (SOURCE)

As I shared earlier regarding the NABU investigation, I have personally seen these corrupt Ukraine characters (politicians and private sector oligarchs) in action, literally spending tens-of-thousands of U.S. taxpayer funds (in cash) at the Port of Montenegro while I was tracking them in 2023 and 2024.  They were staying in massive suites at the Regent Hotel, expensive boats and exotic cars with each. So please, don’t try to sell me on the honorable Ukraine politician schtick.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is worried the Russians will use the corruption story to undermine his government, so he has spent the past two weeks on the phone with his U.K/USA and EU benefactors trying to keep the supportive money flowing while his government officials skim the funds.

However, notice how quiet the U.S. Senate has been on this explosive story about Ukraine officials being caught skimming money.  The Senate is quiet because almost two-thirds of the senators are taking money from the laundry operation [LIST HERE].It’s not just Ukraine officials making money from the massive EU/USA funding scheme.

(more…)

On the sidelines of a trade and economic discussion with the govt of Kyrgyzstan and the CSTO summit, Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin took questions from media about the Ukraine -vs- Russia conflict.

Now, due to the significance of his remarks, and keeping in mind these responses are in the Russian language, it becomes important for WESTERN READERS to evaluate the translation.  Vladimir Putin speaks in direct terms that are often not understood in western translation, the nuance within the translation is important.

That said, I am going through the remarks; I will share the video and ongoing translation while extrapolating against the known backdrop of communication as shared by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Emissary Steve Witkoff and ultimately, President Donald Trump.

It appears that Russian President Putin is expecting the arrival of a U.S. delegation to Moscow, likely Witkoff, Saturday, Sunday or Monday (early next week).  This aligns with the prior statements of President Trump during remarks aboard Air Force One.

In general, and in the specifically official nuance that Russian President Vladimir Putin is known for, Putin affirmed that Steve Witkoff and Yury Ushakov are key “informal” negotiators. Each emissary from each leader allowed space for plain language discussions.  Witkoff represents the voice of Donald Trump, and Ushakov representing the voice of Vladimir Putin.

Witkoff and Ushakov can meet and discuss the reality of things without concern for the noise of diplomatic stakeholders. Both men are closely trusted advisors of their principals, Trump and Putin.  When the elements of their discussions need to transfer to formal contexts, Witkoff/Trump bring aboard Secretary Rubio while Ushakov/Putin bring in Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.  The official teams transfer the common language objective into diplomatic details.

As to the status of the current conflict from the Russian perspective.  Vladimir Putin was brutally honest and pragmatic in his remarks.

(more…)

The global intelligence motive (5 Eyes) would be laughable if it were not so transparent.  In an effort to create problems for President Trump and the Ukraine-Russia peace negotiations, an unknown intelligence agency intercepted the call then provided a recording to Bloomberg News.

The intercept was not likely U.S-based, or the leak would be to a different media outlet (WaPo, NYT or Politico). The Bloomberg angle indicates a likely EU intelligence source, with one of the “coalition of the willing” (U.K, France, Germany, or Brussels) the most likely suspect.  Given the nature of the intercept, and the intent behind the leak, the British seem the most likely of sources.

The phone call itself is generally a non-issue.  Essentially President Trump emissary Steve Witkoff and Russian Foreign Policy Advisor Yuri Ushakov were discussing the best way for their two principals (Trump and Putin) to connect and discuss the potential for a peace plan on October 14, 2025.

Between the margins there’s something we have discussed at length on these pages, a coordinated messaging campaign between the Trump administration and the Putin administration with both private objectives and public statements aligned in common purpose.  The call itself is solid affirmation of our prior analysis of the relationship.

As we have long discussed, both President Trump and President Putin want to end the conflict.  However, the EU, NATO, British, French, German govts, as well as the U.S. congress and Ukraine want to keep the war continuing.

President Trump and President Putin both understand the nature of each other’s political position.  Thus, their communication is coordinated in public with back-channel messaging organized by their emissaries.

The October 14th call between the emissaries was intercepted, and with the Trump administration having brought Ukraine into the proximity of agreement, the call is leaked in an effort to weaken the plan sponsored by President Trump, Secretary Rubio and Emissary Witkoff.  Some unknown intelligence agency doesn’t want the peace deal to be finalized.

The transcript was prepared after Bloomberg reviewed a recording of the call.

(more…)

President Trump holds an impromptu press conference aboard Air Force One heading to Mar-a-Lago.  The main questions to President Trump surround the breaking news of the Ukraine-Russia peace negotiations.   As noted by President Trump the conflict has just killed too many people, now both sides are closer to ending the bloodshed.

President Trump notes in the Ukraine deal the physical border is challenging to determine, “you can’t have a border through a house or dividing a highway.”   As soon as the Ukraine portion is complete, Steve Witkoff will be traveling to Moscow likely next week.

.

(more…)

When we are reviewing ‘western’ media presentations about Ukraine, proceed with extreme caution.

Remember, (1) Zelenskyy is ideologically opposed to coming to terms for a ceasefire against Russia. (2) Zelenskyy has the full support of the European nations to continue fighting. (3) Ukraine has a habit of using positive statements as tools to try and box in President Trump, only to hold firm to certain positions in an effort to derail peace negotiations.

Western media are now reporting the 28 points of President Trump’s proposal for a ceasefire have now been reduced to a core 19 points that Ukraine President Volodymr Zelenskyy accepts. Previously secret meetings between U.S. military and Russia are taking place in Abu Dhabi.

WASHINGTON – Ukraine has agreed to the U.S. peace plan with only “some minor details to be sorted out”, an American official told CBS News on Tuesday. Top Kyiv security official Rustem Umerov appeared to confirm the report, writing on X this morning that Ukraine had reached an understanding on the “core terms” of the U.S. peace plan during the discussions in Geneva. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to travel to the White House later this month to finalize the agreement.

Meanwhile, the U.S. and Russia held secret talks in Abu Dhabi on Monday, according to reports by Reuters and the Financial Times, as the Trump administration tries to maintain the momentum of progress with its evolving peace plan to end the war in Ukraine, which still rages in the background. Those talks are set to continue on Tuesday. (more)

(more…)

Sometimes it pays to remind what Marco Rubio said back in February, “Ukraine is a proxy war between the U.S. and Russia.”  From that context the remarks from SSCI Vice-Chair, Senator Mark Warner, make sense.

Warner appears on ABC News ‘This Week’ to denounce the peace proposal now being negotiated in Geneva, Switzerland between Secretary Rubio and the Ukrainian delegation.  Senator Warner makes it clear he will not accept the end to conflict in Ukraine.  Video and Transcript Below:

[TRANSCRIPT] – Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chair Mark Warner joins me now.

Good to see you this morning, Senator.

SEN. MARK WARNER (D-VA), INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR: Good morning, Martha.

RADDATZ: What is your reaction to this peace proposal that is on the table?

WARNER: My reaction is it’s awful. It would make Neville Chamberlain’s giving in to Hitler outside of World War II looks strong in comparison. The fact that this was almost a series of Russian talking points, would require Ukraine to give the — totality of the Donbas, parts they still control, cut back their military forces going forward, never be able to join NATO.

This would be a complete capitulation. And it’s why I think you’re hearing from Congress, both sides, people pushing back. And, obviously, the Europeans feel like they’ve been totally left high and dry.

(more…)

Delegations from Ukraine and the USA have been holding talks in Geneva on a draft peace plan. No statement has been officially released, but Ukraine and Russia had received the draft 28-point plan aimed at ending the war. President Trump put the general deadline date of Thursday for review.

Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin has said the plan could form the basis of an agreement, but Ukraine and its European money laundering stakeholders have expressed concern. Giving a brief update during discussions, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US and Ukrainian teams had held “probably the best meeting” since Trump returned to office.

Negotiations continued all day with Secretary Rubio noting significant progress has been made and talks will continue into tomorrow. Rubio noted, “we just need more time.” WATCH:

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been using his X Account all day to message with allies and “stakeholders” about the negotiations.  Zelenskyy is the performative face of opposition to the peace agreement and leveraging external pressure to maintain a fight that domestically has lost significant support.

President Trump has expressed frustration with Zelenskyy’s intransigence; however, if the reporting is accurate Zelenskyy has been informed this 26 or 28 point proposal is his last opportunity to negotiate in good faith before President Trump cuts off all assistance to Ukraine.   Secretary Rubio seems very optimistic.

(more…)

President Trump confirmed on Fox News (during an interview with Brian Kilmeade) he gave Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a week to review the 28-point peace proposal organized by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.

Ukraine will likely never agree to the proposal, because too many European and American interests are grounded in maintaining conflict between Russia and Ukraine.  However, the shift this time is that if Ukraine/EU/NATO and Congress do not agree to the ceasefire and peace proposal, President Trump has indicated he will withdraw all support.

Axios originally obtained the 28-page proposal, and Politico has confirmed it.

(more…)