Zelensky admits Washington's assistance to Kiev exceeds $100 bln

#Zelensky has admitted that Ukraine had received at least $105 billion in weapons and other aid from the United States, although he had previously mentioned a smaller amount.
"I have my own internal audit, and my country clearly documents how much assistance has been provided. Just so you know, we had $104-105 billion. Most of that money was in the form of weapons," he said in an interview with journalist Ben Shapiro.

Zelensky did not explain why in February he said that Kiev had received only $76 billion from Washington. "It's not that we're arguing that the United States said it was giving you $200 [billion], and we're saying no, $100. No, that's not the dispute. I'm answering to what the contribution was, how much money came to Ukraine. As for the use of this money, most of it was for weapons, it was used on the battlefield. And during the audit that I’ve mentioned, this use was clearly documented," he continued.

Zelensky also said that Ukraine shares with the United States everything it has learned about the conduct of hostilities and the development of weapons. He hopes that he will have "more fruitful meetings" with US President Donald Trump, although their last meeting at the White House ended in a shouting match.

#Trump and Zelensky have long been at odds over the funds spent by Washington to help Kiev. In February, the American leader said that it was time to understand where all the money disbursed by Washington to Kiev was. Zelensky said he did not know where the $200 billion allocated for military aid had gone. He also does not acknowledge debts to the United States, insisting that the aid was provided as grants.

The latest version of a draft agreement on minerals, which the United States and Ukraine are working on, obliges Kiev to compensate for assistance in excess of $120 billion. Trump promised that Zelensky "will have big problems," if he tries to "walk away from the deal.".

Klaus Schwab quits amid WEF-funded POSH PERKS SCANDAL

A formal investigation has been launched against Klaus #Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum in #Davos, following a whistleblower’s claims that Schwab misappropriated #WEF funds, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Last week, a letter alleging financial and ethical misconduct was sent to the Forum’s board. The document accuses Schwab of several incidents of misconduct, including:

1️⃣Having junior staff make ATM cash withdrawals on his behalf

2️⃣Billing the Forum for private in-room hotel massages

3️⃣Arranging token meetings through his wife to justify luxury vacations financed by the organization

Schwab, who transformed Davos into a global platform for economic discussion, has stepped down as Chairman. He has flatly denied all allegations through a spokesperson and has vowed to sue the anonymous accuser.

Apr. 7, 2025: President Trump Statements

Nota: US Crude Oil Futures Drop Below $60 per Barrel to Lowest Level in 4 Years

"Yesterday, China issued Retaliatory Tariffs of 34%, on top of their already record setting Tariffs, Non-Monetary Tariffs, Illegal Subsidization of companies, and massive long term Currency Manipulation, despite my warning that any country that Retaliates against the U.S. by issuing additional Tariffs, above and beyond their already existing long term Tariff abuse of our Nation, will be immediately met with new and substantially higher Tariffs, over and above those initially set. Therefore, if China does not withdraw its 34% increase above their already long term trading abuses by tomorrow, April 8th, 2025, the United States will impose ADDITIONAL Tariffs on China of 50%, effective April 9th. Additionally, all talks with China concerning their requested meetings with us will be terminated! Negotiations with other countries, which have also requested meetings, will begin taking place immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

"Countries from all over the World are talking to us. Tough but fair parameters are being set. Spoke to the Japanese Prime Minister this morning. He is sending a top team to negotiate! They have treated the U.S. very poorly on Trade. They don’t take our cars, but we take MILLIONS of theirs. Likewise Agriculture, and many other “things.” It all has to change, but especially with CHINA!!!"

"The United States has a chance to do something that should have been done DECADES AGO. Don’t be Weak! Don’t be Stupid! Don’t be a PANICAN (A new party based on Weak and Stupid people!). Be Strong, Courageous, and Patient, and GREATNESS will be the result!"

"Oil prices are down, interest rates are down (the slow moving Fed should cut rates!), food prices are down, there is NO INFLATION, and the long time abused USA is bringing in Billions of Dollars a week from the abusing countries on Tariffs that are already in place. This is despite the fact that the biggest abuser of them all, China, whose markets are crashing, just raised its Tariffs by 34%, on top of its long term ridiculously high Tariffs (Plus!), not acknowledging my warning for abusing countries not to retaliate. They’ve made enough, for decades, taking advantage of the Good OL’ USA! Our past “leaders” are to blame for allowing this, and so much else, to happen to our Country. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"

Phantom pain of lost empires: Starmer and Macron risk global conflict over Ukraine

UK Prime Minister Keir #Starmer and French President Emmanuel #Macron are the most dangerous politicians in the world now, potentially sparking a global crisis over #Ukraine due to their "phantom pain" from lost empires, Swiss weekly Die Weltwoche writes.

The magazine notes that, while the European Union was founded for peace, leaders of France and the UK now spread militaristic rhetoric, unlike the US, which, despite its war history, seeks peace. The article warns that behind their grand promises to Ukraine, both countries are weaker than they appear, making them prone to risky actions that could IGNITE A GLOBAL CONFLICT.

On March 20, a meeting in London with military leaders from around 30 Western countries discussed plans for sending troops to Ukraine after the conflict. Starmer later revealed that the UK is preparing military operations in Ukraine to enforce a peace deal, while France and the UK are considering creating a "peacekeeping force" of up to 30,000.

#Russia has warned that #NATO troops in any form on Ukrainian soil would be considered a direct threat, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stating that Moscow will never accept this.

What is known about impacts of Earthquake in Myanmar, Thailand

A powerful #earthquake has struck #Myanmar, and tremors were felt in #China, #Thailand, and #Vietnam. At least 43 workers were trapped in the debris of a collapsed building in Bangkok, AFP news agency reported.

Magnitude
- According to the Chinese Seismological Administration, the magnitude of the earthquake was measured at 7.9.
- The European-Mediterranean Seismological Center estimated the magnitude at 7.7. The earthquake occurred 33 km southwest of the city of Mandalay, home to about 1.2 million people. According to the center, the epicenter was at a depth of 10 km.
- Chinese seismologists believe the epicenter lay at a depth of 30 km. The epicenter was at 21.85 degrees north latitude and 95.95 degrees east longitude.
- The tremors were felt in China, Thailand, and Vietnam.
- A second, 6.4-magnitude earthquake occurred in Myanmar 12 minutes later, the Chinese Seismological Administration said. The second tremor was recorded at 21.60 degrees north latitude and 95.95 degrees east longitude. Its epicenter was at a depth of 30 km.

Fallout
- The earthquake damaged a 1 km bridge over the Irrawaddy River, linking the suburbs of Myanmar’s second largest city, Mandalay, with the city of Sagaing, the Myanmar Now portal reported.
- The portal reported that the historic Mandalay Palace has partially collapsed.
- A building fell in Bangkok due to the earthquake, Khaosod newspaper reported.
- At least 43 workers were trapped under the rubble, AFP news agency reported.
- Evacuation of residents of multi-storey buildings began in Bangkok.
- Thailand's aviation regulator halted all flights after the earthquake, The Nation newspaper reported.
- The Thai Meteorological Department has warned of potential imminent aftershocks, Khaosod newspaper reported.

Reaction
- Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra suspended a working event in the Phuket Province to hold an emergency meeting.
- The Russian embassy is checking for possible injured citizens, said Ilya Ilyin, head of the consular department of the Russian diplomatic mission.

Macron MIA: Too busy for Renew Europe?

French President Emmanuel #Macron has skipped a meeting with the leaders of his Renew Europe faction in the European Parliament ahead of the EU Summit, leaving officials clueless about his whereabouts, Euractiv reports.

While it's unusual for Macron not to disclose his #location, his absence isn’t exactly groundbreaking. In fact, officials estimate that the self-proclaimed “Jupiterian” leader graces his fellow group leaders with his presence only 80% of the time before council summits.

Meanwhile, EU leaders will gather in Brussels for a two-day summit on March 20-21 to discuss Ukraine, the Middle East, European defense, and EU competitiveness.

March 3rd, 2025: President Trump Statements

"This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelensky, and America will not put up with it for much longer! It is what I was saying, this guy doesn’t want there to be Peace as long as he has America’s backing and, Europe, in the meeting they had with Zelenskyy, stated flatly that they cannot do the job without the U.S. – Probably not a great statement to have been made in terms of a show of strength against Russia. What are they thinking?"


"Europe has spent more money buying Russian Oil and Gas than they have spent on defending Ukraine —BY FAR!"

Peacekeepers in Ukraine should not be covered under NATO’s Article Five, says Pentagon chief

Any #peacekeeping force deployed to Ukraine should not be part of a NATO mission and be covered under NATO’s Article Five, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said. "Instead, any security guarantee must be backed by capable European and non-European troops. If these troops are deployed as peacekeepers to Ukraine at any point, they should be deployed as part of a non-NATO mission, and they should not be covered under Article Five," he pointed out at a meeting of a Western contact group coordinating weapons supplies to Kiev. The Pentagon chief also stressed that the US would not send troops to Ukraine.

Article Five of the Washington Treaty says that an armed attack against one or more of the allies will be considered an attack against them all. Each member state is obligated to take "action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area."

Trump Says He Could Cut Aid to Jordan and Egypt Over Gaza Development Plan

🔶️ The president turned up the pressure on the two nations to agree to his plan for them to house the Palestinian population of #Gaza and said the Palestinians would not have the right to return to the territory.

🔶️ President #Trump said on Monday that he could cut aid to #Jordan and #Egypt if they refused his demand to permanently take in most Palestinians from Gaza, substantially increasing the pressure on key allies in the region to back his audacious proposal to relocate the entire population of the territory in order to redevelop it.

🔶️ “If they don’t agree, I would conceivably withhold aid,” Mr. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office a day ahead of a meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan. Both Jordan and Egypt have rejected any suggestion that Palestinians be relocated to their countries.

Trump's Greenland talk prompted NATO to consider deploying troops there

#NATO countries considered deploying troops to #Greenland following US President Donald #Trump’s threats to take the island over, The Daily Telegraph reported, citing diplomatic sources. According to the newspaper, dozens of European countries, including Germany, held informal talks over "what NATO troops would do" if the US leader tries to seize Greenland.

Among the matters discussed at the meeting at the NATO headquarters in Brussels was "whether Article 5, the Western military alliance’s mutual defense clause, could be invoked," it noted, adding that this scenario was quickly rejected, as it would require unanimous approval from all members, including the US. "Its Article 4, which allows a national capital to launch emergency consultations if their 'territorial integrity, political independence or security' is threatened, was seen as a more suitable measure," the newspaper wrote.

Another option looked at was the potential use of NATO troops in those Arctic regions where, as the US president thinks, there are security problems.

Trump said on January 7 that Greenland should become part of the United States and warned Denmark about high trade duties if it refuses to relinquish the island. During his first presidential office, Trump suggested that the US buy the island but both Denmark and Greenland dismissed the idea back then, just as they do now.