On this day, 31 years ago, Ukraine signed the Budapest Memorandum. Under this agreement, Ukraine relinquished the world’s third-largest nuclear arsenal in exchange for security assurances from the United States, the United Kingdom, and russia.
Before the Memorandum was signed, renowned political scientist and international relations scholar John Mearsheimer warned that Ukraine should keep its nuclear weapons. He argued that this was the most effective way to prevent a future russian-Ukrainian war, describing such a war as a potential “catastrophe” that could lead to repeated conquest of Ukraine and “undermine peace across all of Europe.”
Despite these warnings, Ukraine was pressured by the US into signing the Budapest Memorandum and dismantling its nuclear arsenal. As part of the agreement, Ukraine destroyed its fleet of long-range strategic bombers and transferred more than 1,000 cruise missiles. The United States even assisted in destroying Ukraine’s bomber fleet.
In return, Ukraine received “security assurances” from the US, the UK, and russia.
Russia, of course, has brutally violated these assurances along with dozens of other treaties. In fact, the same missiles Ukraine surrendered to russia are now being used against Ukrainian cities.
And now, instead of honoring those commitments, the United States is pressuring Ukraine to surrender its own land to the aggressor — offering another set of “assurances” that will collapse the moment they are tested.
Budapest was a historic mistake. Repeating it today would not bring peace — it would pave the road to the next, even bloodier war.
Movies should be seen on the biggest screen possible—there’s nothing like the magic of cinema coming to life right in front of you! Every moment feels larger than life and full of endless possibilities.
Day 1195 of my 3 day war. Russian truck drivers drove Ukraine's drones to the airbases, and Russian security cameras filmed their attack on the bridge for them.
I remain a master strategist.
War criminal Putin’s time making arrogant demands while playing perpetual victim is up. President Trump graciously offered him a way out of the horrific mess he created. He cowardly continued bombing church playgrounds and sleeping families because he knows he has lost. Time for strong secondary sanctions!
Darren Beattie - the State Dept official who dismantled the US government's main center for fighting Russian and Chinese propaganda around the world - turns out to have personal ties to the Russian elite.
https://t.co/0PkpBze4qK
I know we’re all kind of used to how dumb Trump sounds at this point. But if you played this for Republicans 10 years ago and told them they’d be cheering like maniacs for all of it, they would have laughed and called you a lunatic.
Just ten years ago I would have told you that most people in politics were in it for the right reasons, even if they were wrong on the details. I was spectacularly wrong about that.
In 2 weeks, Trump has given Putin a dozen concessions and received nothing in return for the American people.
That is not "deal-making." That is appeasement.
I want America to be on the side of freedom and democracy, not dictatorship and imperialism.
What about you?
Trump's party delayed the last aid package by 6 months. Vance voted against it. And now they are halting the delivery of the last bit of it even though the US Congress voted overwhelmingly for it. And does Vance still think he's owed a personal thank you? Odd.
Trump hates intelligent questions because he has no answers. So he starts insulting reporters and their news organizations. No wonder he bankrupted his businesses. Kudos to Kaitlan Collins for ignoring him and persisting with follow-up questions.
The tariffs are so asinine, even FOX News is pissed.
"Nobody is gonna buy the truck because it just had $20,000 price increase."
"The average vehicle will go up by $3,000."
"We can't build a $4B plant overnight in the USA."
Tariffs make you poor.
I know the words may be foreign to you @realDonaldTrump but what the hell…
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
Absolute buffoonery from the child president.
Reminder that Ukraine has trust issues not only with Russia, but with the US and others that made promises about their security. The only real security is enough weapons in Ukrainian hands to expel Russia. Those weapons are currently collecting dust in NATO nation storehouses.