I’m getting a late start on the update tonight, so just going to run through the basics.
President Zelenskyy finally called out Trump today:
I can’t believe that even our President has to spell it out, but pressure must be applied to the aggressor, not the victim.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Because, as usual, Trump has decided that Ukraine, which is defending itself against Russia’s genocidal re-invasion, is the problem.
“Ukraine better come to the table.” – Trump.
Russia launches missiles daily.
Kills civilians.
Leaves people without heating, electricity, homes.PRESSURE THE VICTIM!🤦🏼♀️
Is there a clinical term for this?
Chronic appeasement syndrome?
Strategic moral blindness?
Pre-election cognitive distortion?— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 8:58 AM
Ukraine is at the table. They’ve shown up and continue to participate in the US run farce because they need to keep Trump from completely throwing US support behind Putin and Russia.
In Geneva a new round of trilateral talks has begun between Ukraine, the United States, and russia.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 8:26 AM
All while Putin & Russia continue to hammer civilians & civilian infrastructure and facilities:
And once again on the very day of negotiations Russia launches a massive drone and missile attack.
Deliberate. Calculated. Targeting energy infrastructure.
The goal is to destroy whatever is still remaining. Leave tens of thousands more without heat and electricity. Break civilians.
— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 9:28 AM
When they cannot win on the battlefield, they wage war against apartment blocks and power grids.
When they cannot defeat an army, they try to freeze a nation.— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 9:28 AM
We must not let these horrific russian atrocities against Ukrainians become normalized. Lasting peace will only come with justice.
— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 11:24 AM
Here is President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.
We Are Ready to Move Quickly Toward a Just Agreement to End the War; The Only Question Is for the Russians – Address by the President
17 February 2026 – 20:08
Dear Ukrainians!
First, about the massive strike with which the Russians began the day. 29 missiles of various types were fired, and 25 were shot down. This is an important result for our air defense, and once again, we emphasize that air defense is a daily necessity. I thank all our partners who understand this. Russia greets with a strike even the very day new formats begin in Geneva – trilateral and bilateral with the United States. This very clearly shows what Russia wants and what it is truly intent on. Almost 400 drones were launched as well. The threat of attacks is not disappearing. The cold weather itself tempts Russia, and they will keep trying to turn winter into a weapon of war. That is why all our air defenders must remain extremely vigilant. Thank you, guys, for your precision. All Ukrainian diplomats must also be as active as possible in securing results on missile supplies for air defense, as must the Minister of Defense. I just held a meeting with Minister Fedorov. We defined priorities, and the supply must function properly. In the coming weeks, there will also be a significant number of formats with our partners – a range of negotiations and various meetings. We will also discuss the fact that Europe needs its own production of air defense missiles – all types that are truly needed. Some steps have already been taken – production is being developed and expanded. But the pace of this work is still insufficient. And potential production volumes also need to be increased. Ukraine raised this issue with America years ago, particularly the need to establish sufficient missile production in Europe, including for Patriots. There were promises of licenses, but ultimately, the U.S. did not agree to this. Even though we proposed production in Ukraine and joint production with our NATO partners in the region: Romania, Poland, and others. Such decisions and such production would definitely strengthen all of us, all of Europe. I am confident that Europe will still be able to provide itself with the necessary volumes and defense strength. But it would be far better for everyone if this result were achieved sooner.
All day today in Odesa, recovery and rescue operations continue after last night’s strikes. There were major power outages in the city and in nearby communities of the Odesa region. People were also left without heat and water. Unfortunately, as of this moment, restoration has not yet been completed – work is ongoing. I instructed that Odesa be given all necessary support and that recovery efforts be accelerated. Later today, there will be a report from the delegation following the first round of talks in Geneva. The team absolutely must raise the issue of these strikes – first of all with the American side, which proposed that both us and Russia refrain from attacks. Ukraine is ready. We do not need war. And we always act symmetrically – we are defending our state and our independence. Likewise, we are ready to move quickly toward a just agreement to end the war. The only question is for the Russians: what do they want? And also, whether there will be consequences for Russia for the fact that “shaheds,” missiles, and fantasy chatter about history matter more to them than real diplomacy, diplomacy and lasting peace.
One more thing.
All those Russian missiles and drones used today contain thousands of components that Russia is unable to produce on its own. Five Iskander-M missiles carry at least 75 critical non-Russian-made components. Three Kh-101 missiles include nearly 160 components that Russia cannot replace on its own. Each “shahed” has hundreds of such components imported into Russia from other countries – and not only from companies in China, by the way. Also from Europe, America, Japan. It is crucial – not only for us in Ukraine but for global security as a whole – that partners truly block supply chains delivering critical components to Russia for weapons production. And companies themselves should better monitor where their components end up. Without such connections to the world, Russia can do nothing – they are not capable of being strong in full isolation. That is why blocking and pressure can genuinely compel the aggressor to reconsider its policy. But that depends on the world’s determination. I thank everyone who acts strongly so that the aggressor loses its ability to drag out this war. I thank everyone who helps Ukraine.
Glory to Ukraine!
Georgia:
“Journalists in #Georgia are being forced to leave the profession after the ruling party, Georgian Dream, started blocking funding sources, imposing fines, making arrests, and using other measures that suppress independent media. Listen to their stories.”
JAMnews
jam-news.net/georgian-jou…— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 1:15 PM
More arrests over standing on a sidewalk in Georgia.
#TerrorinGeorgia #GeorgiaProtests
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 7:13 AM
🟥 Nino Jangirashvili, director of Kavkasia TV, published the letter received from the Georgian National Communications Commission.
The Commission has requested a written explanation from the broadcaster within three working days.
▶️ batumelebi.netgazeti.ge/articles-in-…
#JournalismIsNotACrime— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) February 16, 2026 at 11:05 AM
It’s official. The illegitimate Georgian Dream government will now be able to jail people for up to three years for publicly calling it illegitimate.
— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) February 16, 2026 at 4:15 AM
Coming soon to the Trump administration near you.
Educational centers in the Pankisi Gorge (villages Duisi, Joqolo, and Koreti) are closing due to the draconian laws and apparent local government will to have them closed down.
The information is from the Kakheti Regional Development Fund.
1/
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 9:38 AM
The centers have been operating since 2000 and offer free courses to prepare young people for national exams.
Local women also had the opportunity to take vocational courses for free. Currently, the centers employ 20 local women.
2/
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 9:38 AM
The organization says that closing the centers will significantly harm the local community.
According to the organization, the decision is difficult and was preceded by a two-year effort to maintain the centers. According to them, the lease agreements on the buildings have not been renewed.
3/
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 9:38 AM
According to the fund, the situation is aggravated by the ongoing legislative changes in Georgia, against the background of which it has become more difficult to receive support from donor organizations.
4/
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 9:38 AM
The Pankisi Gorge is a strategically important location due to the constant concerns about infiltration from radical Islamism.
I guess disabling education and women employment in Pankisi was a major national security concern for the Georgian Dream.
5/
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 9:38 AM
I took the information from a Kakheti regional news agency’s Facebook page: მთავარი ამბები კახეთიდან.
6/6.
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 9:38 AM
Europe:
What navy?
— Darth Putin (@darthputinkgb.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 3:32 PM
From The Kyiv Independent:
A top Kremlin official has suggested Moscow could retaliate with its navy if European powers intensify the seizure and boarding of Russian ships in the Baltic Sea.
The threat comes as European countries toy with more direction action against Russia’s “shadow fleet,” a network of hundreds of tankers, flying foreign flags to evade sanctions.
Presidential aide Nikolai Patrushev, who had previously served as head of the FSB intelligence agency as well as secretary of the Security Council, made the comments to Russian newspaper Argumenty i Fakty on Feb. 17.
Over the past months, while most continue to operate uninterrupted, some shadow fleet tankers have come under increasing scrutiny, with France, Germany, Finland, and Italy all raiding ships suspected of Russian sanctions evasion, both at port and at sea.
On Jan. 22, the French Navy boarded and seized a suspected shadow fleet ship, later understood to be the tanker GRINCH, in an operation publicized by French President Emmanuel Macron as direct action against the Russian war effort.
The GRINCH was released on Feb. 17, the same day as Patrushev’s comments, after paying a fine worth millions of euros, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot wrote.
Meanwhile, the shadow fleet system has also come under pressure from Ukrainian naval attacks in the Black Sea, while the U.S. has also raided Russian vessels in connection with the Venezuelan oil trade.
In the interview, Patrushev called the European raids on shadow fleet ships “piracy,” and expressed concern that the next step would be a full-fledged blockade.
“If we do not give them a strong resistance, then soon the British, the French and even the Baltics will become arrogant to such an extent that they will try to completely block our country’s access to the seas, at least in the Atlantic basin,” Patrushev said.
Despite tightening sanctions on Russia and a drawn-out decoupling from dependence on Russian oil and gas, European countries have so far been reluctant to clamp down harder on the shadow fleet, more than 600 of which have already been sanctioned.
The EU:
Bloomberg reports that several EU countries are seeking to water down the 20th package of sanctions against Russia. Specifically, Italy and Hungary oppose restrictions on the Georgian port of Pulevi, as it is used to supply Azerbaijani gas – a critical resource for Europe’s energy security.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 12:32 PM
Meanwhile, Greece and Malta have expressed doubts regarding sanctions against a port in Indonesia.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article…— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 12:32 PM
Croatia:
🚫Croatia is refusing to transport Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia.
Croatian Minister Ante Šušnjar: “there are no technical excuses left for staying tied to Russian crude […] A barrel bought from Russia may appear cheaper to some countries, but helps fund war and attacks on Ukrainian people”
— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 3:08 AM
Finland:
Sanna Marin, Former PM of Finland: “Ukrainians seek long-lasting, just peace, which cannot be made by Putin’s terms. We fool ourselves if we believe Putin wants to negotiate peace.
The only way to stop this war is to support Ukraine.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 11:18 AM
We have been supporting, but the support, financial or armed, has come too little too late. That’s why the war continues.
If we really want this war to end, we must make Russia suffer enough so Putin is forced to the table.”
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 11:18 AM
The International Paralympic Committee:
The International Paralympic Committee’s current stance is disgusting.
It allows russians to commit atrocities against Ukrainians and then participate in the Paralympic Games after losing limbs in their own invasion, all while their war continues.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 1:54 PM
The US:
John Bolton: Our biggest mistake in the 1990s and during the Bush administration was leaving Ukraine, Moldova, and Belarus in a gray zone – not pushing harder for their eventual NATO membership.
Eastern and Central Europeans were begging for protection from Russia. We expanded NATO but left
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 8:32 PM
a dangerous gap that Russia quickly exploited.
In 2008, Bush tried to fast-track Ukraine and Georgia into NATO, but France and Germany blocked itUkraine is an incredibly rich and powerful country that is striving to become truly European and Western – while rejecting Putin’s aggressive nationalism
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 8:32 PM
I hate to say it, but he’s right. Just this one time.
The Trump administration’s promise of a “one-day resolution” of the war is now 392 days late. The U.S. peace process hasn’t produced any results, and isn’t likely to. This abject failure is rooted in three fundamental flaws:
Thread:
(Photo: Getty Images)— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 1:35 PM
1. Inadequate Leadership: Trump’s track record is a graveyard of bankruptcies and ghostwritten stories. He isn’t even at the table personally, and his cognitive decline is becoming impossible to ignore.
— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 1:35 PM
2. Conflicted Envoys: By appointing Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump has prioritized personal loyalty and alleged business acumen over regional expertise. This focus on “transactional gains” makes them vulnerable to manipulation by a Kremlin that understands their motives all too well.
— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 1:35 PM
3. Existential Miscalculation: Trump is treating the war like a squalid real estate dispute. It isn’t – this is a war of survival of a democracy against a fascist-imperialist neighbor. Trading territory for a “pause” will validate Putin’s aggression and allow fascist Russia to rebuild its army.
— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 1:35 PM
When Moscow speaks of “root causes,” they mean the removal of Ukraine’s right to exist as a Western-aligned democracy. They want a puppet regime and the cultural erasure of the Ukrainian identity under the guise of “protection.”
— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 1:35 PM
Finally, Putin’s survival is now tied to the outcome of this war. The war will ultimately end with Ukraine being destroyed, or Putin being destroyed. Putin is not winning, and so he cannot and will not stop his war.
— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 1:35 PM
If Ukraine is destroyed, Putin will just move on to his next war. Peace will not be found in artful real-estate “deals” – it will only be found when the cost of war becomes physically impossible for the Kremlin to bear.
— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 1:35 PM
That means imposing harsh, properly enforced sanctions on fascist Russia, and providing democratic Ukraine with sufficient military, economic and political support for it to be able to defeat fascist Russia.
— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 1:35 PM
Back to Ukraine.
Here’s what Russia threw at Ukraine last night/early this morning:
Ukraine has been under russian drone attacks for most of the night.
Russian cruise missiles are expected to enter our airspace in half an hour, bringing more death and destruction.
Again, we play this deadly lottery while the world watches.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 16, 2026 at 10:18 PM
Tracks of drones and missiles in fascist Russia’s Blitz air raid on democratic Ukraine last night.
— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 4:06 AM
❗️During the night of February 17 Russia launched a massive combined attack against Ukraine.
The enemy used:
•4 Iskander-M ballistic missiles (from Rostov region and temporarily occupied Crimea);
•20 Kh-101 air-launched cruise missiles from the Caspian Sea;
•4 Iskander-K cruise missiles from Kursk;— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 8:03 AM
•1 Kh-59/69 guided air missile from the airspace over temporarily occupied Donetsk region;
•396 attack drones (Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas and other types), launched from Kursk, Oryol, Millerovo, Bryansk, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Shatalovo, and occupied Crimea. Around 250 of them were Shahed drones.— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 8:03 AM
💥 Ukrainian air defense shot down or suppressed 392 aerial targets:
•20 Kh-101 cruise missiles;
•4 Iskander-K cruise missiles;
•1 Kh-59/69 missile;
•367 enemy drones.4 ballistic missiles and 18 attack drones hit 13 locations. Debris from intercepted targets fell in 8 additional locations.
— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 8:03 AM
Twelve regions were targeted: nine people are known to have been injured, including children. Residential buildings and the railway were damaged, among other sites. Some Ukrainians have once again been left without heating and water.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 5:58 AM
Since the start of the full-scale invasion, 2,000 children abducted by Russia have been successfully returned to Ukraine. Specifically, 83 children returned home with the assistance of Qatar, and 19 through the mediation of Melania Trump.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 11:16 AM
According to Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, over 1.6 million Ukrainian children remain in the temporarily occupied territories.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 11:16 AM
Another Russian field communications operator has been struck by FPV drone while climbing a high tower to establish a “Wi-Fi bridge.”
Starlink access has been disabled for Russian military, forcing them to improvise alternative communication links.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 10:50 AM
/2. Ascending such a tower in drone-controlled airspace is a task that borders on a death sentence.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 10:50 AM
Ukrainian ground drone armed with a Browning M2 eliminates a Russian infantryman in a close-range firefight.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 3:12 AM
FPV drone of the Ukraine’s 63rd Mechanized Brigade engaged an enemy Mi-8 helicopter in midair. Unfortunately, the FPV passed slightly below the aircraft.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 4:31 AM
Missed it by that much…
The Special Operations Forces destroyed an “Iskander” storage site, a “Rubicon” drone control center, and enemy facilities in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
t.me/c/1721372338…— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 7:39 AM
Sumy Oblast:
Russian attack on Sumy Oblast left a woman dead beneath the ruins of her own house.
Rescuers recovered her body from the rubble.Six others were injured, among them two children.
— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 3:38 AM
Mykolaivka, Donetsk Oblast:
In Donetsk Oblast, a russian FPV drone struck a civilian car in Mykolaivka, Kramatorsk district.
Three people were killed. One more was injured.
— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 4:38 AM
Zaporizhzhia Oblast:
In Zaporizhzhia as a result of a russian attack, 1 person was killed and 6 others were injured: two women aged 35 and 40, two men aged 26 and 40, and two children: girls aged 1 and 11. Tragically, a 48‑year‑old woman was killed.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 5:10 PM
Kharkiv:
Explosion in Kharkiv ‼️ our city is under russian drone attack right now ‼️
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 5:28 PM
Russian occupied Mariupol:
FP-1/FP-2 guided strike drone with a 50kg/100kg warhead strikes loaded Russian S-300VM air defence system near Mariupol.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 6:22 AM
Russian occupied Crimea:
Russian Ka-27 military helicopter in the camera of the Ukrainian guided strike drone. Crimea.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 5:58 AM
The Pokrovsk front:
In the Pokrovsk direction, an Anti-Tank Guided Missile unit of the 93rd Mechanized Brigade destroyed 8 Russian guns and 3 antennas.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Russia:
Russian economic collapse: almost 40% of total income is being spent on food.
Although many numbers are being manipulated to hide the terrible state of the economy, Russians are eating less despite spending more on food.
This pattern happened during the 1990s collapse too. 🤔
— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 3:38 AM
🚨More Russian oil production cuts likely as storage capacity runs out.
With sales continuing to fall, record amounts of unsold oil already at sea on shadow fleet tankers, and the Druzhba pipeline closed due to Russian attacks, storage capacity in Russia is filling up.
How sad.
— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 2:38 AM
Moscow:
A super “powerful” protest took place in Russia. Local activist Benes Ayo, together with three associates, staged a picket outside the Embassy of the United States, Moscow holding a sign that read, “Trump, hands off Cuba.”
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 11:53 AM
According to him, he burned a U.S. flag bearing an image of Donald Trump. After that, security forces detained him and took him to the Presnensky police department.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 11:53 AM
Moscow Oblast, Russia:
Nothing to see here, just a russian Orthodox Church near Moscow.
A sect that worships war, glorifying killing and militarism.It should not be allowed anywhere in the civilized world.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 10:21 AM
Another example of pobiedobesie, victory mania, which we’ll see more and more of as winter turns to spring and the Russian anniversary for the end of the Great Patriotic War approaches.
Leningrad Oblast, Russia:
An explosion just occurred in the military commandant’s office building in the Vsevolozhsk district of the Leningrad region of Russia. At least two people were killed. At least several more are under the rubble.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 7:23 AM
Krasnodar Krai, Russia:
The Ilsky oil refinery in russia is still on fire since last night 🔥🔥🔥
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 8:56 AM
Seven more days and the Ukrainians get a new holiday.
I do not make the rules.
Perm Krai, Russia:
Reports indicate a drone strike on the “Metafrax” chemical plant in Russia’s Perm Krai this morning, sparking a fire. The facility produces methanol and other substances used in the military sector.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 10:02 AM
Due to this, the plant is under UK and Ukrainian sanctions and has been targeted before. Local residents are also reporting mobile internet outages.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 10:02 AM
That’s enough for tonight.
Your daily Patron!
There are no new Patron skeets or videos today.
Here is some adjacent material.
🇺🇦🐶 Always sees us off and always welcomes us back.
— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) February 17, 2026 at 1:58 PM
Open thread!
cain
Sick of these bi-lateral, tri-lateral, and what not when it’s just unilateral. Nobody seems to want to push Putin in a manner that will make him back down. We’ve seen his forces are not nearly as good as we imagined it would be.
Carlo Graziani
Worth reiterating: at this point, US influence over the outcome of the war is zero. Trump can rear up on his hind legs and bray about the Ukrainian concessions that he wants to see, and it means nothing. The US is no longer supplying weapons to Ukraine, and has no power to prevent Europeans from supporting Ukraine, having essentially told them to forget the alliance. All US leverage is gone. Denmark has more influence over the war.
So hearing this shit from Trump may be infuriating, but it is essentially meaningless.
AlaskaReader
Thanks Adam
Eolirin
@Carlo Graziani: Trump has leverage he can apply against Russia, if he cared to use it. That’s the real tragedy in all this.
Jay
Thank you, Adam.
way2blue
Thank you Adam. I assume Putin is pushing Trump hard these days. To ratchet up pressure on Ukraine to fold. Before the midterm elections tie his hands. I am relieved whenever Zelensky pushes back—in his understated manner. And hope the midterms do indeed flip Congress to tie Trump’s hands. ‘Night.
Westyny
Thank you, Adam. I saw a report about other European countries attending the Geneva talks, here it is:
newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/four-european-countries-join-ukraine-russia-1771343917.html
cain
@Eolirin: He has no leverage. He’s compromised. It’s Russia that has some leverage on him.
cain
Thank you Adam.
Adam L Silverman
@AlaskaReader: You’re welcome.
Adam L Silverman
@Jay: You’re welcome.
Adam L Silverman
@way2blue: @Westyny: You’re both welcome.
Adam L Silverman
@cain: You’re welcome.
Jay
bsky.app/profile/antongerashchenko.bsky.social/post/3mf3cmobmt22h
A huge amount of basic gear ruZZian soldiers use, body armour, helmets, uniforms, socks, drones, generators, stoves, are supplied by either the soldiers themselves from the wages their Commanders don’t steal, or by “volenteers”, some of whom are just scammers.
piratedan
wish that since the US is blocked from offering direct aid, that Europe would step in and help them restore their original borders. As always, the issue is what would Putin do in response… nuke Kyiv? Riga? Helsinki?
I believe that Trump is a pussy, he’ll happily instruct his military to kill innocent civvies and he has placed some willing expendable officers in place to take that fall… just not sure if his calculations include military forces in place in Europe and abroad and what the sympathies are of those commanders to follow illegal orders.
If Europe does act to intervene in Ukraine, and Trump makes noises, will US bases be closed down and those troops captured or expelled? Would they surrender if called upon?
All of this shit belies just telling the rest of NATO to kick Putin’s ass and based on his past behavior, would Putin risk global war just to save his ass, my feeling is that if its his ass and he’s going down, VP is perfectly willing to fuck the world if it doesn’t suit him.
Putin has complete control of the media in Russia, so he can shape the narrative however he wishes, Trump is doing his best to emulate that so that he could do the same. Unsure how the fuck this unfolds asking Ukraine to carry the human burden of peeps killing peeps when Russia feels free to throw anyone they can into the grinder
I guess all we can do is what we can individually to send money to buy shit to get it to those who can fight.
Jay
nitter.poast.org/OJoelsen/status/2023874646492192892#m
Eolirin
@cain: The US could do more to completely ruin Russia’s economy, or significantly bolster Ukraine’s military position, and he’s ostensibly the head of it. There’s a window of opportunity to have a bigger effect on those things right now than there’s been since the early phases of the war even. Russia’s economy is teetering, and the Starlink deactivation seems to be causing them a bunch of headaches on the front.
But yes, that’s why he won’t. Doesn’t mean he can’t. I’m not willing to give him a pass on that just because he’s compromised.
wjca
How will the midterms tie his hands? He’s already got nothing but vaporware. Bluster and bluff. He can babble equally, no matter who controls Congress.
Jay
Thread at link,
nitter.poast.org/ChrisO_wiki/status/2023828028170924282#m
Jay
@wjca:
If the Democratic Party take the House, it’s “Impeachment, Impeachment, Impeachment”.
If they take the Senate, well.
While DJTidiot is pretty much a “Lame Duck”, mostly through incompetence, if the Democrats take the House, let alone the Senate, he’s a “dead duck”,
If Democrat’s get over the whole “looking forward and not back” thing.
Chetan R Murthy
@Jay: Jay, it is a consummation devoutly to be wished, but ….. there is no chance of the Dems getting to 67 Senators, so there is neither a way to impeach/convict him, nor to override his vetoes. And he will remain in control of the Executive and Judicial Branches.
wjca
@Jay:
Yup. But how much those impeachment hearings will discomode him? They’ll doubtless fuel his already enormous sense of grievance — generating a ton of
TruthLies Social posts. But beyond that?Not so much. Unless a bunch of Republican Senators suddenly discover a backbone. Which, frankly, seems extremely unlikely.
I wish I was as confident. But given the utter indifference to the law and Constitution he has displayed, I think there’s still cause for concern. If, for example, Congress defunds ICE and CBP, I expect him to pay his private storm troopers anyway.
If necessary, have them stand with drawn weapons over the low level folks who cut the checks and do the funds transfers. If there’s simply no money, just (essentially) print more. Who cares if the debt ceiling gets left in the dust?
Chetan R Murthy
SCOTUS has already said that he can impound what monies he wishes, spend what he wishes. The Congressional authority to direct what money is spent, and for what, is …. pretty much advisory at this point.
Shorter: just as you say, just as you say.
ETA: IIRC, King Charles I was beheaded for (among other reasons) what Trump is doing.
Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom
Thank you Adam.
jefft452
Ukraine is the US’s Suez Crisis
Pre WW2, when the UK dictated, Egypt obeyed. In the 50’s Egypt could tell the UK to get stuffed and UK couldnt do anything about it
Poppy Bush famously said prior to the first Gulf War – “What we say, goes” and he was right
When Trump told Z that he didnt have any cards, Ukraine carried of resisting
The US no longer decides things