III For U

History rhyming once again?
[N.B. Notably, I had only uploaded the iconic Yalta Conference photo to ChatGPT with a query as to whether it could change the faces, but without indicating who they should be changed to. That ChatGPT provided exactly the intended edits - if with possible arguments over the relative seating positions - may indicate an era of superintelligence... or reuse of past requests.]
(Sources: wikipedia.org, GPT Image 2)

In a major development on the drawn-out Ukrainian proxy war, Tsar (or Supreme Leader) Putin has suggested a trilateral Summit of Emperors (similar to the one held in May) with TRUMP and Xi to settle it once and for all - and explicitly without the participation of Zelensky. This may not even be personal, mind, since it would be inappropriate for the equivalent of a Margrave to attend a gathering of that august rank. While Putin may have been encouraged by TRUMP branding Ukraine's attacks on Russian oil refineries a disgrace (while maybe giggling afterwards) and recognition as a great humanitarian by the Envoy of the GOD-EMPEROR, TRUMP has already shown extreme forbearance towards his wayward Margrave, by demurring with a suggestion to discuss denuclearization instead.

This may admittedly partly be due to not-unfounded concerns as to whether the Tsar is quite at the same level as the Emperors of the East and West, from his adoption of a position relative to Xi approximately comparable to that of the Dauphin towards the GOD-EMPEROR. Moreover, despite clear displeasure about being shut out of such a summit - perhaps concurrent with an APEC meeting in Shenzhen - the honourable Margrave Zelensky appears otherwise cognizant of reality, having previously recognized the ability of both the hegemons of the East and West to bring Tsar Putin to the table for negotiations.

The unfolding power play has had neoliberal mouthpieces such as The Guardian whine that Ukraine's future was not for the Emperor and Tsar to bargain away (apparently neglecting that this had been ongoing all the while), with a former Czech prime minister making the obvious reference to Yalta in 1945, where the lords of that era divided the world between themselves. However, while his objection rests on many affected European countries not being consulted, it could be remembered that their free agency and convivial "discussions" had seen the continent go up in flames twice in quick succession before that.



China had the etiquette to greet guests on the tarmac then, as the historically-informed GOD-EMPEROR TRUMP demonstrated with Xi
(Source: wikipedia.org)

To provide some perspective about the fist-shaking by Team Blue rags such as The Atlantic and the NYT on how TRUMP is abandoning Ukraine and allying with Russia, a short history flashback may be relevant. Some half a century ago, a previous POTUS would make the then-controversial call to partner up with a former Team Red foe, despite being entirely ideologically opposed, and moreover having fought at least two major wars (Korea and then Vietnam). These border disputes were ultimately only resolved by partition, if with the Korean split persisting to the present day, and the nominal republic of South Vietnam falling to the communist North (today, just Vietnam)

The parallel to the situation of Ukraine appears bleedin' obvious, when presented this way, and may provide an answer to the Margrave Zelensky's statement that America has more in common with Ukraine than Russia. Just in case the numerous coups on democratic governments arranged by Uncle Sam are not proof enough, "similarity" has never been the primary factor in major U.S. foreign policy decisions; Nixon's America buddied up with China against the Soviet Union, because they had the opportunity, as Number One, to turn Number Three against Number Two (and succeeded). That was all. If TRUMP or his successor gets an opening to repeat the strategy, if with Russia the third wheel in this cycle, you best believe they will.

TRUMP's appreciation for history had already been manifest with his insistence on unconditional surrender for Iran - language largely unused since its application to the Axis powers at the end of World War II - and it could be considered that Ukraine was never even a formal ally, as reminded by Vance. While the German chancellor has stated that forcing Ukraine to surrender would be a "defeat for all of Europe", with the European Union's Defence Commissioner claiming that Pax Americana is over and that America might well be pushed to third place by China and India (apparently by the population argument as previously covered), it may be telling their their current proposal appears to be for Ukraine to yield the Donbas to Russia, in exchange for NATO membership (to quite possibly be reneged on)



As foreshadowed back in February last year...


[To be continued...]