
Alex Christoforou of the Duran
From Twitter/X (https://x.com/AXChristoforou), Alex writes the following post on 3/12/25:
Fait Accompli in Jeddah.
The US and its Ukraine proxy, held 8 hour talks and agreed to “30-day ceasefire” terms. Here is what we know so far:
– Zelensky was not present at the talks.
– Chief of staff Yermak led the Ukraine team. Rubio and Waltz led the US team.
– On X, Zelensky explained the plan as a, “30-day full interim ceasefire, not only stopping missile, drone, and bomb attacks, not only in the Black Sea, but also along the entire front line. Ukraine is ready to accept this proposal — we see it as a positive step and are ready to take it. Now, it is up to the United States to convince Russia to do the same.”
– Rubio and Waltz will take their terms to Russia…
“The ball is now in their court” – Rubio.
– This is a temporary truce, that can be extended…
Via Politico: Once fighting is paused, negotiations will begin immediately on the terms of a permanent peace. Both the U.S. and Ukraine have promised to name their negotiating teams as soon as possible.– Also via Politico: The pause in the fighting would allow humanitarian steps, including the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of detained civilians “and the return of forcibly transferred Ukrainian children,” the joint statement said.
👆Note the above term “forcibly.” Russia would be accepting the Collective West/ICC claims on this issue if they agree to the terms.– The US has agreed to share intelligence and continue weapons flow with Ukraine.
– No minerals deal was signed. Reports are Trump will invite Zelensky back to the White House to sign the minerals deal.
– The topic of Ukraine ceding territory was not discussed according to a Ukrainian official.
– Trump team did not agree to security guarantees.
– Ukraine wants Europe to be involved in this process, but this was not defined.
– UK Starmer has called a meeting of European leaders this Saturday to prepare for troops into Ukraine should Russia agree to these terms.
Want to add some quick thoughts to the above post. Just my view of how things could unfold. These are not carefully thought out predictions. More like spitballing some ideas (apologize for any spelling errors and poor formatting)…
1. The talks in Jeddah, not really negotiations. The US is on record to being in a proxy war with Russia. Yesterday was the US and its proxy sitting down to agree to the terms they would deliver to Russia. They settled on the Macron/Starmer no fly zone plan. This is the plan they decided to go with.
2. Russia can accept or reject these terms. They can also decide to counter and present their own terms (for the 1,000th time Istanbul Plus) to the US, and more negotiations follow.
3. There is a very small possibility Putin agrees to the US terms (or something close to them), DO NOT rule this out.
4. Most likely Russia will reject these terms and counter offer.
5, Trump will threaten HUGE sanctions, crashing oil etc… US military escalation, long range strikes…will Russia blink?
6. Trump will push to meet Xi, contact Modi, pressure SA, Brazil…put pressure to break apart BRICS/Global South support for Russia.
7. Watch Musk’s posts on X. See if he turns up the propaganda pressure against Russia in the next couple of days.
8. The US will play to their strengths, the only card they really hold…the INFO WAR space. Which is Russia’s big weakness. Russia will be painted as the party that “turns down peace.”
9. Keep in mind Russia has made its conditions for a ceasefire public since at least June 2024 (Istanbul Plus). The west media will completely ignore this FACT.
10. NATO Rutte meets Trump this week (I believe today).
11. The US/EU/UK/NATO are now in perfect sync when it comes to project Ukraine.
12. Do not trust Erdogan. He will betray Russia.
13. Keep an eye on developments in Romania.
14. Trump will speak with Putin, most likely on Friday. Outside chance that Putin convinces Trump to see things in terms of Istanbul Plus, pressure reverses back towards Zelensky and EU/UK. Outside chance but possible that this swings again in opposite direction.
– Trump (the person) has no real understanding how to end this. He is making things up as they come.
15 AND FINALLY…Trump now owns this. Ukraine is Trump’s war.