a smart man would consider the history of russia since the ascendancy of the putin, and decide that he doesn't lie about these things. there have been chances for you to realize this. how many instances can you name in which russia had mucked about in another country since 2000, vs how many times the empire has done so. putin has said so repeatedly that he intends no war on europe but this is the face of all too many provocations by europe and the empire. fafo;

• Trump envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law and unofficial diplomat Jared Kushner have been at the Kremlin on Tuesday for high-level talks with President Vladimir Putin. The Americans are presenting Trump’s Ukraine peace plan in its current form after the high stakes Miami meeting with the Ukrainian delegation, which focused on ceding territory and what future boundaries might look like in the Donbass.

President Putin’s public words in the context of the meeting wherein the US side is formally pitching the plan have presented an opportunity for him to lash out at Europe. If Europe starts a war with Russia, soon there will be “no one left to negotiate with” – he warned after several EU and NATO officials have lately issued hawkish words and threats. Russia is not planning to fight European countries, but if Europe starts a war, Russia is “ready right now” – the Russian leader said. The Kremlin had last month issued a generally positive outlook on what it framed as genuine efforts of the Trump administration to reach peace settlement in Ukraine. Putin has previously said the now 19-point plan could be a workable basis on which to find a solution. By day’s end Tuesday, the world might get a better glimpse of how this is proceeding...........more........