Historic moment: Ukraine has officially begun accession negotiations

[sheshe2]

Last edited Tue Jun 25, 2024, 08:49 PM - Edit history (1)

Historic moment: Ukraine has officially begun accession negotiations with the European Union. We've worked hard to reach this point. Today we held the first intergovernmental conference, and we are committed to fulfilling every requirement to navigate through all chapters of our relations with the EU, culminating in an accession treaty for Ukraine.

Secondly, our legal battle continues. New arrest warrants have been issued by the International Criminal Court for Russian war criminals. Shoigu, Gerasimov, your path to The Hague is open. Additionally, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled on Russia's responsibility for all the crimes committed in our Crimea against people and the law. The occupier will be held accountable.

Thirdly, we are striving for a just peace for Ukraine and taking steps to fully restore security. Following the Peace Summit, we now have the eighth participant who has signed the joint communiqué. Pressure on Russia to put a fair end to this war is increasing.

I thank everyone who believes, fights, helps, and works to achieve these results for Ukraine – in defending our people, strengthening our state, and bringing us closer to peace, a peace that Ukrainians deserve.

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

[Irish_Dem]

1. Without Zelensky's superb leadership, I don't know where Ukraine would be today.

[sheshe2]

4. You are right.

He is a good man who loves his country and all her people. It’s time for this to come to an end, Putin needs to retreat.

Thanks, Irish.

[Irish_Dem]

6. The US has to decide if it really wants Ukraine to win.

The US seems currently to be understanding they must support a direct win by Ukraine.
Not just help Ukraine keep fighting. But win.

From the beginning Zelensky has been the 21st century equivalent to FR and Churchill.
Zelensky is one of most remarkable persons of our era.

Yes Putin must be defeated, soundly.

[WarGamer]

18. Depending on the definition of "win"...

I don't think it CAN be won.

Russia can't WIN... meaning surrender of the AFU and border to border control...

And Ukraine can't kick Russia off of it's land.

[Irish_Dem]

24. It depends upon what is meant by a "win."

That is determined by what the objectives are, political, strategic, operational, etc.

And a cessation of the fighting with a lasting peace.

You are looking at perhaps a stalemate?

Neither side gains any ground?

[WarGamer]

26. Me personally...

I see gradual Russian gains through 24 with great losses of troops...

The AFU will use it's Western weapons to keep punishing Russia...

Eventually this will end with a treaty benefiting both Russia and Ukraine... even if it makes people unhappy.

[Irish_Dem]

28. Russia will suffer more than troop losses.

The economy is taking a major hit and only held afloat by converting to a war time economy.
When the war is over it will have to convert back to a civilian economy which is not easy.

There has been a brain drain as the educated elite left the country early on.
And with so many deaths of young men, there will be a further drop in the birth rate.
A problem in a low birth rate country to begin with.

Oil production has been hurt due to sanctions and Ukraine drones.
This is a complicated industry and hard to start and stop and keep it going long term.

The strategic alliance between China and Russia has been seriously damaged.
So Putin has lost a great deal there too.

Whatever gains Russia gets in a settlement will cost Russia dearly.
And Putin will have spent a great deal of political capital.

Basically Putin needs to save some face and be able to declare a win.

[WarGamer]

33. I see it a little differently...

The Russian economy might be looking at disaster... maybe not. Their population isn't exactly in a position to vote out Putin.

I think the relationship with China is stronger than ever.

It very much suits China to have an independent and subservient Russia.

Agreed that Putin is looking to save face with a treaty.

[Irish_Dem]

37. The facts seem apparent.

The Russian economy has taken a big hit.
The sanctions, the war costs, the loss of men, the damaged refineries, it's all adding up.

Oh no, the relationship between Xi and Putin is not stronger than ever.
It has taken major hits as well.

Recently Putin recently went to Beijing, hat in hand, trying to negotiate a good oil
deal with Xi who played serious hardball.

Xi wanted the same price Putin sells oil to Russian citizens, which is heavily
subsidized to keep the peasants quiet. Of course Putin could not agree to this and Xi sent
Putin off with a flea in his ear. So they are having a nice little stand off right now.
Hoping someone blinks.

The talk is that Putin was not honest with Xi about the Ukraine invasion timeline and capability.
They were supposed to be partners with the geopolitical goal of being 21st century superpowers.
Russia would take Ukraine, China Taiwan.

China has suffered a loss of face in the alliance, which is a serious matter to the Chinese.
And has a loss of trust with Putin.

China never dreamed of financial sanctions perhaps hitting them for their alliance with Russia.
This is not acceptable, Xi has screwed up the Chinese economy badly and cannot afford sanctions.

Putin threatens nuclear war, if this happens, the world is blown up, who will buy the crap
China sells.

Putin eggs on Kim Jong Un, promises to give him high grade military information. This cannot
make China happy. Every time Kim Jong Un acts out Trump let us know we send US nuclear subs
to the Yellow and South China Sea. All to close to the political center Beijing, and the financial hub
Shanghai. Those two cities go bye bye, China is off the grid.

There is a lot more, but these are some of the highlights.

[OMGWTF]

31. And he was a professional comedian before running for office.

[Irish_Dem]

36. Exactly.

See discussion below about this.

[calimary]

42. And just think... he was once shrugged off as a mere stand-up comedian.

He turns into a towering new-age Winston Churchill.

Amazing what a combination of brains, heart, and guts can do.

[MustLoveBeagles]

48. He's certainly lived up to the moment

The Ukrainian people did well in electing him.

[Irish_Dem]

50. Some people rise to the occasion.

And pull out inner resources even they themselves didn't know they possessed.
They are leaders in every sense of the word.
FDR, Churchill, Eisenhower, Zelensky.

Others sink like stones and go to their worse pieces.

[GB_RN]

23. When Zelenskyy Ran & Won...

The Ukrainian presidency, I figured they were in for their version of Cantaloupe Caligula. A comedian with no political experience? Just sounded like a disaster in waiting. I am pleased he proved me wrong. He has been exactly what Ukraine needed/needs in a leader.

[Irish_Dem]

27. Yes exactly. This is what makes his story so very remarkable.

A TV show comedian with no political, leadership, military experience.

He not only manages to stay alive when Putin wanted him dead from day one,
he exhibits remarkable talent for leadership on the world stage.

Going hat in hand to the world asking for help.

And running a country in war time and a military under brutal attack.

His courage from the beginning, most leaders would have gone into hiding.
In exile.

But he stayed and has been a beacon of light and hope for his people and the world.
His brilliance, courage, determination, and respectful, calm humility is an example to all.

Truly a live presentation of the fight between good and evil, Zelensky and Putin.

[niyad]

39. "I don't need a ride. I need ammunition." This will possibly go down as one of

the most memorable political lines of all times.

[Irish_Dem]

40. The man is a genius and very brave.

Yep the best of his lines.

[calimary]

43. That's the Quote of the Year - if not the Decade.

[LiberalLovinLug]

49. Trump's success proved one sliver of truth

That a lot of voters, around the world, do not trust establishment politicians, and want a leader with fresh eyes and not, even potentially, corrupted by systems of quid pro quo and old boy club traditions. They are attracted to the outsider, to come in and clean things up.

The problem with Trump is that while he was a green politician, and was new to the occupation, he was himself inherently corrupt already. And willing to be corrupted more, if it benefited himself or his family. He wasn't a true outsider at all. He was a groveller to the real insiders, the wealthy elites who he wanted approval.....and money from.

Gawd I wish Jon Stewart would enter the next Dem primary.

[oasis]

2. Put a giant foot in Putin's ass!

[Traurigkeit]

11. Rather a brick.of C4

[brooklynite]

3. You title should clarify that its the EU, not NATO.

[sheshe2]

7. The first sentence in the body of my Op says just that.

No where does it say NATO, brook.

[brooklynite]

8. Your headline does not. Not everyone clicks through.

[sheshe2]

10. You didn't read through either, did you...

Since you claim I was referring to NATO.

Reading is fundamental.

[brooklynite]

12. I didn't claim you did...

...but Ukraine entering NATO is more topical these days.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

15. First damned sentence clearly says "European Union"! Don't care what's "topical"; it's English!

[sheshe2]

20. Thank you, HtP.

[sheshe2]

16. Let me share something with you, broolynite.

You are the second man in the past two days that has told me how, what and where I should post. That in itself is disheartening on a Democratic board. I am an equal member on this board.

Thank you for your response.

[triron]

32. Geesh! Give it up man.

[bif]

45. Why does almost every post turn into a pissing contest?

and a fight of some sort?

[niyad]

53. Actually, people have beem talking about joining the EU quite a bit recently.

Most people understand that NATO membership is not possible so long as the ruzzian invaders are there

[Tickle]

5. I'm at a loss for words, but in a reflective manner.

I truly hope Ukraine finds the peace they so rightfully deserve, and I believe the Russian people also yearn for and deserve peace. Let's hope the Middle East is next in line for a resolution.

[Cha]

9. This is Amazing.. Zelensky and Ukrainians have Worked So Hard to Make this Happen!💙💙💙

I thank everyone who believes, fights, helps, and works to achieve these results for Ukraine – in defending our people, strengthening our state, and bringing us closer to peace, a peace that Ukrainians deserve.

Mahalo, she!

[sheshe2]

13. I want this over for them so they can rebuild.

I know, they have a long way to go, but this is a start.

Thank you, Cha. 🇺🇦

[Hermit-The-Prog]

14. My favorite toon depicting Ukraine's relationship with Europe...

[sheshe2]

19. Perfect. 👍

[EndlessWire]

17. Also Moldova is granted accession talks

something which they have been trying for. Moldova is very poor, which is an obstacle, but here's congratulating both countries for this next step. They're looking at like 2030 for membership, but that will go by quickly.

[William769]

21. Happy to hear this.

[sheshe2]

22. It's been a long row to hoe.

Time that it ends.

[alfredo]

25. One reason Russia gave for the invasion was

Ukraine was desiring to join the UN.
Since the invasion two countries have joined.
Trump wanted NATO weakened.
unintended consequences.

[sprinkleeninow]

29. SLAVA UKRAINI! SLAVA NA VIKI! nt

[Jilly_in_VA]

51. Heroyam Slava! n/t

[orangecrush]

30. Glory to the heroes

[republianmushroom]

34. Good luck

[AllyCat]

35. That last image breaks my heart.

Ukraine must be admitted to the EU. They mate than deserve it.

[FemDemERA]

38. This is good news!

[SleeplessinSoCal]

41. This makes me think back on Hillary's response to Putin election 2012

Retribution.Vengeance. Pay Back.

On 4 March 2012, Putin won the 2012 Russian presidential election in the first round, with 63.6% of the vote, despite widespread accusations of vote-rigging. Opposition groups accused Putin and the United Russia party of fraud. While efforts to make the elections transparent were publicized, including the usage of webcams in polling stations, the vote was criticized by the Russian opposition and by international observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe for procedural irregularities.

Anti-Putin protests took place during and directly after the presidential campaign. The most notorious protest was the Pussy Riot performance on 21 February, and subsequent trial.

PUSSY RIOT! WE ARE WITH YOULIKE NEVER BEFORE

SLAVA ZELENSKY!
SLAVA UKRAINI!!

[calimary]

44. Sigh... every time I think of Hillary and what might have been,

I just ache, inside.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

46. I only see how Putin helped to defeat her because ...

...we are so easily manipulated. In lieu of an actual education and teaching critical thinking, the right has opted to ingest hate radio and the like, then call themselves informed.

[Jilly_in_VA]

52. I get pissed off.

I may be 81, but I can still fight with the best of women!

[Deuxcents]

55. ✊

[LudwigPastorius]

47. It's progress, but...

if the EU agrees to integrate Ukraine, it could take a decade or more.

[ALBliberal]

54. Would be interesting to see what the dox

were packed up with the article.

Nevermind. TSF would not be that organized to pair the document with the article.