Today, Monday 18th August, may well be a day that goes down in history. There is a meeting to be held between Trump and Zelensky in the White House, with Zelensky backed up by several European leaders including Starmer, Macron, Rutte, Von der Leyan, et al.
Now let’s think. How is it that all these European leaders suddenly dropped their schedules, and are crossing the Atlantic to be there in person? What made them do this?
That meeting in Alaska between Putin and Trump to discuss ending the war in Ukraine gave the impression that something went drastically wrong. I mean, do not forget the red carpet, the warm welcome from Trump, the clapping of his hands and his delight at seeing that cold-blooded dictator, that indited criminal, on American soil. However, the scheduled 6-hour meeting became 3 hours, there was no lunch and no taking of questions from the press. American officials, apparently, looked shaken. Above all, Putin spoke first, that, indeed, is a first as the host country leader is always meant to speak first. And he spoke for longer than Trump. All seemed lost, and it looked as though nothing was agreed.
But.
Multiple sources now say different.
It is now believed – and we have to be clear that this is talk that cannot be completely verified – it is now believed that Trump and Putin did thrash out something like this:
- All territory in Donetsk and Luhansk (including areas that Russia has not taken) is ceded to Russia.
- And that both The US and Russia (Really? That’s interesting) will give a security guarantee to Ukraine that is both not, but also is, almost, and very nearly, but not quite, like Article 5 of the Nato Agreement (that any attack on a country within Nato, will bring all Nato countries to its aid).
Already one can see that enormous pressure is being put on Ukraine to cede territory to Russia. Who, don’t forget, just thought they could walk into Ukraine, and claim it in 3 days. Three years later Ukraine is still there, fighting for its life. Again, it is interesting that lot of Western media, unfortunately, paints a gloomier picture of Ukraine’s fight against Russia than the actual reality. Ukraine is still there fighting back – how can that ever stop? They are, after all, fighting for their territory, in their land, in their nation.
Back to Monday 18th August. Trump has already been tweeting at Zelensky demanding he end the war.
The thing is, why is Trump doing Putin’s work? He is aiding and abetting not only an indited criminal (the ICC has an arrest warrant out for Putin’s alleged involvement in the unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children from occupied areas to Russia) he is seemingly wanting Zelensky to crumple before Putin and give away illegally invaded territory to an aggressor. What kind of example is that to other authoritarian leaders who might just get on with their own invasions? This gives them the okay to take over territory by force.
And where is America’s solidarity with Europe? Answer, it simply isn’t there. Gone is the post-war security we’ve had pretty much since 1948. Trump seems to be normalising relations between the US and Russia and rewarding the aggressive takeover of sovereign territory.
We can see that America is no longer the leader of the Western world – Trump walks hand in hand with Russia.
Meanwhile, what of Europe – I trust these leaders will step up? One can only hope so. It will be challenging but we should stand firm with Ukraine and Zelensky.
I shall write again shortly when more is known about the Monday meeting.
Penny Kocher 18 August 2025
Further reading:
Frank Gardner, Whirlwind day of White House talks could reshape Ukraine’s future. BBC News, August 18, 2025
Philips P. OBrien, Weekend Update #146: A Deal to Destroy Ukraine. Substack, August 17, 2025
Thank you
No problem, I do feel this is a pivotal moment.
However, while we now see that everything is tickety boo and there are smiles and laughs and sycophantic hilarity all around – nice suit etc etc. In the actual world, there will be a meeting (bilateral) and another meeting (trilateral) – at some point. No stopping of the carnage though.
We’ll see – especially we’ll see what Putin does and how he behaves. That was the elephant in the room yesterday.
Every morning, I check the headlines…hoping…which is a horrible thing to do! But, this fraudster has created an atmosphere where hatred runs rampant. Just this weekend, in Indianapolis, which is less than thirty miles away (closer in some places), a group of black clothed men marched with Nazi flags. I believe, but I’m not 100% sure, they even had a police escort. I never ever thought I’d see that in this country. That orange monster has made fascism the name of the game, and our Republican party is complicit. There are a few who are standing up against him regardless of his threats. I just wish they’d release the Epstein files without redactions. But, I’m not even sure that would do a thing. He has convinced so many people his way is the right way. America was not great before him, and now it is. Ha! It is so much less than it was. Yes, many horrible things have been laid bare…like systemic racism and misogyny. But, we could work on those. Now, he encourages that, and his followers are more than happy to do so. Everyone says the midterms in 2026 will change all this. I honestly don’t know if this country will be around then, or if elections will even be held. It’s dire, Penny. It truly is. I feel so hopeless and helpless. And, I am definitely a member of the elite group…white and middle class. The only thing going against me is that I am a woman. I tell Mike, technically, I’m not even that as I don’t have any reproductive organs at all! It’s about all I can joke about. I do hope this gathering of European leaders can accomplish something, but I’m afraid that monster won’t give a rat’s a$$ (is that a saying in the UK). Just look at what he did to the Rose Garden. I need to stop because I could go on and on. Let’s hope against hope though I do believe he’s made a deal with the devil…I truly do.
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
We did see what he did with the Rose Garden – it’s beyond words although bad taste, unbelievable, and downright tacky come to mind.
The thing I dislike immensely is the sucking up to Trump for all kinds of reasons. Yesterday was a fine example. Oh the hilarity, the sycophantic praise, the laughter, ‘nice suit’ etc etc.
When, in reality, nothing has changed on the ground, the carnage continues, although, goodness me, how amazing, at some point there will be a meeting and then another meeting. Words, many of them, were exchanged – great – but what does Putin think and what will Putin do? That was the great big fat elephant in the room yesterday.
Dearest Marsha, I had a friend who was obsessed with Gaza years ago, like20 years ago, who just made herself ill with the agony of it all. Because if you really look at what was happening to Palestine andPalestinians ALL the TIME and not just recent events you would feel ill. I used to say, you must protect yourself. Not sure if she ever listened. Thing is most Brits don’t hate things including their politicians and political opponents, we kind of despise and turn our noses up at politicians and people who vote and/or follow different opinions. That has slightly changed recently as a new party Reform is stirring up a lot of trouble re: our illegal immigrants crossing the English channel on flimsy boats (predominantly rib boats with their legs hanging out over the side – incredibly scary). These are dangerous waters and yet thousands are doing it every year. It is beginning to be unsustainable. But ALL parties are absolutely failing to deal with this – including Labour (for reasons I must enlarge upon and write a blog about). But this new party is stirring up hatred towards these migrants and are encouraging encircling and chanting outside where they are housed. It’s horrible. AND this party might have a huge impact on our next election.
So this is a very long winded explanation to say hatred is not far away from us here in the UK.
I too, like you won’t look away from any kind of awfulness including Gaza and the behaviour of Israel, Ukraine, Trump, and that includes UK political parties that want to wreck lives and change our political outlook. BUT we have to protect ourselves.
And by that I mean we can’t despair and feel hopeless. We have to be alert and active and useful, therefore, what we need is downtime to repair ourselves. So, we need friends, family, of course and then culture, books, art, good films, television, and of course, clothes and fashion trends. Just after I read something incredibly serious I often watch short reels of dog rescues!!!! it brings back ones sense of good hearted people who care for humanity – and dogs!!!!
I will stop this lengthy reply to say – we feel for you over the pond. We watch and are aghast. But know that we see what he is and we care for all of you fighting the good fight – but you must take care of yourself as well
Love PennyX
P.S. Yes, we do say rat’s ,,,, Do you say ass? We add an r into it. Here’s a British saying. He’s also a right bell-end. We have many colloquial words/phrases like that!!
I confess I have not been following Your Other Blog lately but checked in today and must agree with everything you said. Every day the country moves towards an authoritarian dictatorship. Trump’s clear alignment with Putin, his deploying the national guard into our cities, the arresting of innocent individuals and sending them into far off concentration, unable to contact family or legal help. A week or so ago a man who lives in my neighborhood was arrested. he has lived blame free in the country for many years, has been a member of the local volunteer fire department for 30. It goes n and on. the trying to cheat on elections, limiting voting rights, . Every day there is something new to hate about this man. And even if he were to drop dead there are others who would continue to continue his evil course. He is reversing all attempts to deal with a troubled planet, getting rid of renewable energy so that fossil fuels will dominate, selling off protected lands. He has managed to corrupt the judicial system and the republican party is a bunch of cowards. And much of the American public is too distracted by endless entertainments on their phones. I keep looking for a glimmer of hope, but so far I have come up short. I will continue to try to live my life and see the good things, nature, the arts, even fashion and the like keeping myself as fit as possible. It is not easy .