Trump hosts Zelensky, European leaders at White House; Trilat at Budapest?
Analysis: If Trump were to broker a credible agreement for Putin's withdrawal from Ukraine territory, given the scale of the conflict it would be a bigger feather in his cap Norway can count as Nobel-worthy. Putin also wants Trump to receive the Nobel Prize—for reasons not yet disclosed—just as much as Trump wants it for himself. Therefore Putin will go the extra mile, ready for more concessions. The ball is in Putin's court, given a further push by Melania's letter hand-delivered to him by Trump.
WASHINGTON, Aug 19: In a dramatic turn of diplomatic events, US President Donald
Trump convened a summit at the White House on Monday with Ukrainian President
Volodymyr Zelensky and seven prominent European leaders, aiming to chart a path
toward ending the war in Ukraine.
The meeting followed Trump’s recent summit with Russian President Vladimir
Putin in Alaska, which concluded without a ceasefire but opened the door to
further negotiations.
The White House gathering included German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French
President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister
Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, European Commission President
Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. The leaders met
first in private sessions before joining Trump and Zelensky in a multilateral
discussion in the White House’s Grand Foyer.
Zelensky, who arrived in Washington after private consultations with European
allies, emphasized the need for robust security guarantees from the United States
and its partners. “This is very important—that the United States gives such
a strong signal and is ready for security guarantees,” he said, describing his
meeting with Trump at the Oval Office earlier in the afternoon as “the best
conversation so far”.
The Ukrainian leader also signaled openness to a trilateral meeting with Putin,
stating, “Ukraine is ready for any format to meet with Putin. We need not a
pause but real peace”. Trump, in turn, expressed support for a future summit
involving himself, Zelensky, and Putin, suggesting that such a meeting could
be pivotal in securing a truce. Putin has at last agreed to meet Zelensky and
the trilat may be in Budapest, according to media reports.
Trump’s position has sparked debate among allies. He has publicly urged Ukraine
to abandon its NATO ambitions and formally relinquish claims to Crimea—two of
Russia’s core demands. While Trump framed these concessions as necessary steps
toward peace, European leaders pushed back, warning that such compromises could
embolden Moscow and destabilize the region.
Macron emphasized the need for a “robust and long-standing peace,” advocating
for a quadrilateral framework that includes broader European security considerations.
NATO chief Mark Rutte called Trump’s willingness to offer security guarantees
a “breakthrough,” praising the US President for “breaking the deadlock” and
bringing Putin to the table.
Despite the praise, European leaders remained cautious. Finnish President Stubb
voiced skepticism about Putin’s reliability, stating, “Putin is rarely to be
trusted. It remains to be seen whether he has the courage to come to this type
of meeting”.
The summit concluded without concrete commitments on an agreement or the structure
of future security guarantees. However, Zelensky revealed that discussions included
a $90 billion weapons package funded by European partners, which could form
part of Ukraine’s defence framework.
The meeting marked a stark contrast to Zelensky’s previous visit to the White
House in February, which devolved into chaos and public disagreement. This time,
the tone was more measured, though the stakes remain high.
Trump first met Zelensky at 1:15 pm EDT (5:15 pm GMT / 10:45 pm IST) in the
Oval Office and then with all the European leaders together in the White House’s
East Room at 3 pm EDT (07:00 pm GMT/ 00:30 am IST).
Assembly of leaders of Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Finland, the European
Union and the NATO demonstrates Europe’s support for Zelensky.
Even as Trump prepares to facilitate a potential trilateral summit, the world
watches a still uncertain future. Yet one remarkable outcome of Trump's all-out
push is the White House has once again become the epicentre of global negotiations.
A comment on social media on Kanimozhi's answer on the question of national language read: "Daughter of Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi. Delivered the Birthday Present to her Father!!" (Karunanidhi was born on June 3, 1924)
(Today's headlines )
Trump said, "Elon is not really leaving" and will be "back and forth" to the White House because DOGE is his "baby." "I think he’s going to be doing a lot of things.”
Musk wrote: "My scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end... The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government." Now on it will be on auto-pilot.
PROGNOSIS: DOGE was prematurely born to protect the country by aborting an impending socio-economic disaster which very few people could see coming.
Although its immediate job was to save American taxpayers billions by slashing waste, eliminating fraud, cutting Government bloat and ensuring utmost efficiency in administration for the good of the people.
(Today's headlines )
"Coming from a system like in England, empowering," she says she never had an idea of this sort of experience... being asked to “socialise with middle-aged men” who financed the event...humiliating...
Originally from Junagadh, Gujarat, Pataudi was relocated to Etawah Lion Safari in September 2019 before being transferred to Gorakhpur Zoo in 2021. Recently it was receiving treatment for pancreatic and liver infections. After tigress Shakti died in the zoo on May 7 due to bird flu, Pataudi was shifted to Kanpur. Some birds are also reported to have died mysteriously around Gorakhpur. All zoos in UP are closed for fear of a bird flu outbreak.
Three other animals too had died - a tiger, a leopardess and a female wolf. Wolf Bhairavi died last Saturday, leopardess Mona died the Thursday before that and tiger Kesari died on March 30. Some of them had Shakti's symptoms but the cause of death has not been confirmed yet.
As tourist inflow is an indicator of normalcy returning to an erstwhile terrorist infested Valley, the Government has been trying hard to make everything travel-friendly, launching lot many projects and bringing Kashmir on the national rail map that physically completes the process of Kashmir's integration with the rest of India. And that defeats the designs of Pakistan eyeing Kashmir and simply explains a recrudescence of terrorism in J&K.
"It's a big victory not just for Tamil Nadu but for all Indian States. DMK will continue to struggle for and win State autonomy and Federal polity," Chief Minister MK Stalin said.
Of 2.08 km in length, it features 99 spans and a 72.5-metre vertical lift span that rises up to a height of 17 metres, facilitating smooth movement of ships while ensuring seamless train services to the holy town of Rameswaram on Pamban island.
ANALYSIS: There is a lot of hue and cry around the world over Trump's tariffs. But tariff, simply put, is a tax. But unlike tax, it affects the exporting country too. Domestic prices will go up for some time. Nothing more will happen, good or bad!
What motivated Trump's newfound policy, apart from being a stunt to justify his existence in the White House, is a false realisation that increased tariff will make foreign goods prohibitive, thereby boosting local production, and create more jobs, and more prosperity will ring in! If that is true, India would have been shining by now: Producing own Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail and Scotch Whiskies! And what about coconut and palm oil by America!
(Today's headlines )
PROGNOSIS: It looks a Real New Trump is emerging - courageous, balanced, powerful and disinterested. Determined to save his country from the cliff, he has done quite a few draconian things that will reduce the burden of debts of the Federal entity, like the golden handshake, stopping senseless funding, pulling out of a worthless WHO. Shutting the Education Department is another. On the other hand, running it is also not the Centre's job either (We will convincingly elaborate it in the next chapter).
In India the scene is just the opposite. Centralisation is the core agenda and identity of the ruling dispensation without which it has no existence, or in other words, it exists for that set of schemes only. A realisation of this never dawned upon any Opposition party in 2014 or any time thereafter, what to talk of being able to see it coming 70 years ago! The consequence of all this violation of basic natural law of the universe we cannot predict.
THE AMERICAN CONUNDRUM: Political venom has migrated to top echelons in the US. It was reported last year NASA has become politicised, vitiated. But NASA refuted the charge. How Boeing developed a glitch but its unmanned return was smooth. When Suni-Wilmore were stranded last June, why the return was set for February? Because that comes only after January 20! SpaceX called the shots, for itself and for Trump. Then the mission was manipulated for March for a better bargain! In between, what made Elon Musk 'predict' during campaign if Kamala Harris wins he would be in jail. In politics, it is said, "the only rule is there are no rules." Difficult times for Americans too.
The terminations are part of a large-scale exercise going on all across Fed departments and organisations to reduce wasteful Government expenditure as decided by a Trump in a mess gone berserk, and improve administrative efficiency following the whims of billionaire and his associate Elon MusK and his DOGE. It has not been shared how terminations are going to raise the efficiency bar! It looks like Trump has stolen some of the prescriptions meant for India. But the American problems are quite different.
Suddenly these colonial clerks feel this effortless, little rule will tremendously enhance security and convenience for the railway passengers manifold. More stations will be covered in the next 77 years! (Also See:
New Delhi station stampede... What went wrong?)
ANALYSIS: "The standard operating procedure for deportations by aircraft used by ICE that is effective from 2012 provides for the use of restraints," says the Government. That means, it is taken for granted the US will set the standard for deportations. For another, the Government is more interested in comparing with what happened in 2012 under a different Government to justify its own compliance! No surprise, others are trampling upon us. (How we conduct ourselves inside decides, inherently, how we are treated outside) Thirdly, the Government blamed the gangs doing the business of human trafficking for the illegal migration. For all the crimes taking place in the country, let us blame the criminals! Funny! We will never move an inch forward! The mindset defines what we are.
Meanwhile, a UN-returned Congress leader Shashi Tharoor sounded like a layman when he said, "If they are citizens of India we have an obligation to take them back." Who said 'No'?. He should know that is not the issue now. Who will identify an undocumented person, and how?
OPINION: A nutty 'new' Trump must know checking illegal immigration is his job and not theirs. And 'penalty' tariff is not a solution. However, Trump talking about "major threat" from "illegal aliens" (illegal immigration) is about what he believes, right or wrong, and to that extent he is genuine and honest; it is certainly not a pretension to prop up his political relevance. Bullies are always true to themselves. Look at India's crooked politicians shouting day in, day out to prove they are more patriotic, and to whip up public sentiments for them to ride on!
The function was held indoors from 12 pm (10:30 pm IST) at the rotunda of the US Capitol building because of unusually intense cold and snow. Delivering his inaugural address, Trump remarked, “The golden age of America begins right now," and just hours later signed a slew of executive orders to redeem the election pledges.
The issue: Trump says he is open to 'economic force' to acquire Canada as its '51st State' if it does not stop the flow of illegal migrants and drugs into the US and secure its border.
Trudeau gets ready for the battle: Trudeau under Trump's onslaught had appeared quiet as a lamb because he was facing serious internal problems and now the situation has changed. He has resigned and has enough space for a single-minded counter-attack as acting PM. And that is what he is doing to Canada's advantage. He will prapare Canada to take the 'bull' by the horns (literally) when he takes office on January 20.
There is more to it: On the same page now, Conservative Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre has also outlined his plan to deal with the US President-elect's threats. Both will stand united against the common enemy, and take on him adequately when he assumes office.
And the latest: The counter-attack begins. In a CNN interview, Trudeau strategically addresses the Americans, tells them a ghostly 25% tariff will create a recession in Canada but will be equally devastating for the US economy. And he has a point.
A President-elect at the instance of 'sensible' aides has declared, “A smaller Government, with more efficiency and less bureaucracy, will be the perfect gift to America.” A Trump statement said he will chop off the bureaucratic flab, or in his own words, “drain the swamp” in Washington. This contrasts with India where millions and millions of clerks rule the roost with the blessings of petty vote bank politicians, who badly needed them, all these 77 years.
The South African migrant who will benefit more than Trump himself from
the election victory has climbed to the helm - Elon Musk will be the monarch
of all he surveys in Washington!
Musk will lead a 'Department of Government Efficiency' with Vivek Ramaswamy,
the eccentric dreamer.
They will slash bureaucracy and Government spending and restructure Federal
agencies. (But no mention of what next and how!)
The irony lies here: Musk will also be the boss of all Federal agencies,
including those currently investigating business frauds in his own companies
like Tesla, SpaceX and Starlink, which receive Government funding, inter alia
making him the richest man on earth.
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