Ukraine’s Defiance Amid Russia’s Advance and Trump’s Shift in Diplomacy

The ongoing Ukraine-Russia war where Russia is advancing, claiming victory, while Ukraine, led by Zelensky, resists yielding control. Trump distances himself from UK and France, refusing to deploy U.S. troops in Ukraine, and focuses on direct U.S.-Russia talks, with the next round scheduled for April 10 in Istanbul. Zelensky, asserting leverage, rejects signing a U.S.-proposed minerals deal at the Munich Security Conference and at the White House, then at Downing Street, defiantly signaling frustration with Trump while insisting on drafting his own terms. Russia’s military push continues, yet its economy, reliant on oil and gas exports, faces pressure from collapsing oil prices, as warned by its central bank. The U.S. explores restoring relations with Russia, including lifting sanctions and reconnecting Russian banks to SWIFT. Global demand for Russian energy persists, but economic diversification may force Russia to negotiate, questioning the purpose of ongoing talks.

Ukraine is claiming things. The war is still going, Russia won and they are going further into Ukraine. Trump is not working with the UK and France and putting troops in Ukraine. Zelensky goes to Munick security council and doesn’t sign there and then goes to White House and doesn’t sign and goes to Downing Street to put the middle finger to Trump as he waves. Zelensky still thinks he has the cards to make a deal, saying he will write the minerals deal as Russia continues to march through their country. Russia and the US will hold the next round of talks in Istanbul on April 10. If we do not have some kind of deal in the long run, why do we keep meeting? Even going as far as taking down sanctions to allow their treasury secretary to come have talks at White House. Reconnection of Russian banks to SWIFT depends on negotiations on Ukraine. It is a clearing house for all currency in the world. We are working on restoring relations with Russia. The world wants to buy their oil. Russia wants to sell their products. Russia's central bank warns falling oil prices could squeeze the budget. The price of oil is collapsing around the world. The world continued to buy Russia oil and natural gas which is the backbone of their economy. Russia will have to talk because they will need to grow their economy in different ways.