Russia, 10 steps ahead of the 4 Plus 1.
The 4 Plus 1 (Macron, Starmer, Merz, Tusk + Trump) thought they had Putin boxed in by creating a photo+media spectacle in Kiev, around what was essentially the Kellogg Freeze Plan presented two weeks ago in London.
The 4 Plus 1 did what they do best, media trickery. They pushed a plan that masked Minsk 3. They pushed a plan that Russia publicly turned down hundreds of times. They ignored discussing Russia's publically stated terms, June 2024 root causes.
For the first time in history, the losing side in a war believed they were dictating terms, and winning. An ultimatum demanded Russia agree to a 30 day unconditional ceasefire or face Lindsey Graham bone crushing sanctions.
They took instagram photos, 4 European leaders with Churchill #2, walking the streets of Kiev, confident in their geopolitical brillance. Trump fully backed their efforts via phone call, all of it was captured on video.
Then Putin gave his late night speech (western media seated up front) and completely outclassed the 4 Plus 1. Putin skillfully rejected the ceasefire ultimatum, presenting his case why Ukraine was incapable of honoring any ceasefire agreement. Putin called for Russia-Ukraine direct negotiations "without any preconditions" in Istanbul, where the previous 2022 negotiations were held and a ceasefire agreed, until Zelensky and Bojo broke that deal.
Putin is 10 steps ahead of the 4 Plus 1. Now we know why Russia went along with Trump's 30 day energy ceaseefire, why Russia held a one day Easter ceasefire, and why the 3 day Victory Day ceasefire was called. Putin was building his case, knowing the west and its proxy would never honor a ceasefire...one day, three days or thirty days.
Russia patiently waited for the Europeans and Zelensky to pull the ceasefire ultimatum stunt we witnessed in Kiev. The big disappointment in all of this was Trump's very public, full backing of the Kellogg ceasefire plan. Trump revealed himself. Now Russia, and the world, knows exactly where everyone stands. Next week, Istanbul 2.0...ball is in your court, 4 Plus 1.
