Rebane's Ruminations
February 2025
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George Rebane

Today marked another malignant milestone in the US/Ukraine relationship.  President Trump aborted his much-publicized meeting with President Zelensky, and told him to come back when he’s ready to make peace in the three-year Russo-Ukraine war.  The intended objective of the meeting was for both presidents to sign an agreement that would serve as the framework for a more detailed treaty between US and Ukraine spelling out how we would mine their rare earth minerals and share the profits therefrom.

The trouble started when Trump said again that he has a good relationship with Putin and believes that the thug would honor any subsequent peace agreement to end the war.  Trump also needlessly pointed out that Zelensky has no hand to play in these negotiations and will observe the proceedings like a potted plant.  In his turn Zelensky had the temerity to once more caution Trump that Putin has violated every agreement he has signed, many with Ukraine.

The bottom line that should be clear after all these decades in dealing with communists, Marxists, and dictators that none of them have or have ever had a ‘good relationship’ with ANYONE.  They have all ended with their naïve counterparties getting screwed in the end, which usually has arrived sooner than later.  For Trump to trumpet his ‘good relationship’ with Vladimir illustrates our president’s naivete in going into these negotiations with Russia, and gives rise to peals of laughter inside the Kremlin’s walls.  And Zelensky got shown the door today for just bringing up this cautionary piece of history that awkwardly shone a light on Trump’s kindergarten view of his good relations with Putin, Xi, and the ugly fat kid.

If all this geo-political stumbling turns out to be a brilliant opening round to a resolution that stops the fighting, gets us the minerals, and secures the peace (with the US threatening to use its club on anyone who messes with ongoing American investments and mine operations), then I will have egg on my face and gladly admit to my own naivete about how Trump executes the art of the deal.

In the interval, Rebane Doctrine calls for us to engineer a regime change in the Kremlin, preferably with Vladimir’s defenestration by one of his oligarchs with whom he has a ‘good relationship’.  Short of that we should light a candle in the National Cathedral for Trump’s hoped for epiphany.

Posted in , , , , ,

76 responses to “Pissing Match Continues”

  1. Gregory Avatar
    Gregory

    The meeting was to be a grip and grin and a signing of the agreement.
    Z hadn’t even read the agreement.

    Like

  2. scenes Avatar
    scenes

    WH OFFICIALS TELL FOX:
    -TRUMP KICKED OUT ZELENSKYY – HE DID NOT WALK OFF ON HIS OWN
    -RARE MINERALS DEAL WAS NOT SIGNED.
    – WH SAYS “UKRAINANS WERE BEGGING TO RESET” BUT RUBIO AND WALTZ INFORMED THEM ZELENSKYY NEEDS TO LEAVE WHITE HOUSE GROUNDS, RETURN WHEN HE’S READY FOR PEACE
    -THE PRESIDENT AND US OFFICIALS FELT DISRESPECTED BY ZELENSKYY’S RHETORIC AND DEMEANOR – CITED THAT HE WAS “SHRUGGING AND ROLLING HIS EYES” DURING THE CONVERSATION
    **WHEN I WENT TO UPPER PRESS TO ASK WHAT WAS GOING ON, THE LUNCH THAT TRUMP AND ZELENSKYY WERE SUPPOSED TO DINE ON AND TALK OVER WAS SITTING IN THE HALLWAY. I’M TOLD WHITE HOUSE PRESS OFFICE STAFFERS WILL BE EATING IT.

    Like

  3. scenes Avatar
    scenes

    The Scenes Doctrine calls for the Russians having any old government they like.

    Like

  4. scenes Avatar
    scenes

    Now, if the Z Man was a real player, and he doesn’t appear to be to me, you could argue that he plots something like:
    1. Get an agreement teed up.
    2. Get liquored up and argue with Trump, curse at him in a Russian-adjacent language that I’m sure no one will notice in the video.
    3. Get marched out.
    4. Europe, being firmly in the hands of Ingsoc, doubles down on Z since he gave Trump what fer.
    5. Germany, etc. improve fitness standards, gives Ukraine troops and a bit of French nuclear coverage, Lichtenstein buys a new jeep.
    7. Europe vs. Russia for the greater glory of Ukraine. Hilarity ensues.
    8. Ukraine joins EU, everybody immigrates to Germany and France.

    Like

  5. Gregory Avatar
    Gregory

    The entire wh moot was kabuki to take mr z down a notch.
    Mission accomplished.

    Like

  6. Christel Rauber Avatar
    Christel Rauber

    It is shameful how Trump and Vance Selensky (victim) paraded and continue to blackmail. Trump and Vance (vassal) Trumps showed once again how incompetent they are to run a once great country. George, which leads to flattering Putin, as Schröder and Merkel once did, is shown by the Russian-initiated war against Ukraine. Russia is cheering, meanwhile calling Selensky an “ungrateful pig” and a “cocaine clown.” Putin is the one threatening World War III. Putin has clearly stated that he wants the USA out of Europe. He wants a great Eurasian empire like in the time of Catherine the Great. That is his dream! And further more, it is up to Trump and Vance to apologize to Selensky and not the other way around.
    Christel
    Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

    Like

  7. scenes Avatar
    scenes

    “He wants a great Eurasian empire like in the time of Catherine the Great. That is his dream! ”
    Sounds pretty dangerous.
    I’d suggest putting together a more competent German Army and preemptively striking before Putin destroys you. A practice run on Poland might be a good idea.

    Like

  8. scenes Avatar
    scenes

    The Atlantic, 2016
    “Obama’s theory here is simple: Ukraine is a core Russian interest but not an American one, so Russia will always be able to maintain escalatory dominance there.
    “The fact is that Ukraine, which is a non-nato country, is going to be vulnerable to military domination by Russia no matter what we do,” he said.
    I asked Obama whether his position on Ukraine was realistic or fatalistic.
    “It’s realistic,” he said. “But this is an example of where we have to be very clear about what our core interests are and what we are willing to go to war for. ”
    Christel, “let’s you and him fight” makes for poor foreign policy.

    Like

  9. scenes Avatar
    scenes

    “I’m sure the US would have been fine if China had been micro-managing Mexico for years after helping violently remove Mexico’s elected leader and replacing him with one more pro-China and anti-US, then moving to put Mexico in a China-led military alliance.
    DC: no problem.👍”
    – Glenn Greenwald on X

    Like

  10. Scott O Avatar

    Most of Europe (Germany included) is already being taken over by the Muzzies and all the “good” (anti-fascist) Europeans call the other Europeans that are trying to stop it ‘NAZIs’ and even try to keep them out of politics and leadership.
    It’s ironic that a genuine evil dictator (Putin) is starting to look like a better deal than what is in power in GB and the EU.
    Most Americans wonder why we should “save” Europe from Putin when Europe is descending to the level of Putin.
    Trump warned Germany what it needed to do in his first term and Germany just laughed at him.

    Like

  11. Resurrected Hillbilly Avatar
    Resurrected Hillbilly

    Worst piece of shit administration ever.
    Trump/Vance, all they do is yell to drown out Zelensky’s fact checking of Trump.
    What a joke!
    Go Donny, blame it on Brandon.
    Total jackasses.
    Bad Zelensky, you didn’t thank me enough Trump whines.

    Like

  12. scenes Avatar
    scenes

    re: Resurrected Hillbilly@7:51AM
    Cool. We’ve found another volunteer for the Ukraine Freedom Army. The Fighting 420th lives again!
    Listen dude, I’ll be happy to help foot the bill for you to go fight Russkies. Start a GoFundMe and I’ll stick some money into it. I’ll even buy you a canteen.

    Like

  13. scenes Avatar
    scenes

    “Most Americans wonder why we should “save” Europe from Putin when Europe is descending to the level of Putin.”
    Just ask Grok which country has more prisoners because of mean posts on the web. Russia or the UK.

    Like

  14. Resurrected Hillbilly Avatar
    Resurrected Hillbilly

    MAGA hates their propaganda to be fact-checked,
    “In December 2019 Ukraine and Russia agreed to implement a “full and comprehensive ceasefire.” The agreement followed prisoner swaps and the withdrawal of Ukrainian military in three areas. The two sides agreed to swap the remaining prisoners and disengage military forces in three additional regions.”
    Lapdog Vance immediately starts interrupting and trying to shut Zelensky up before brainwashed MAGAs realize that Trump was in office at the time.

    Like

  15. scenes Avatar
    scenes

    “UKRAINE: Obama’s team including Anthony Blinken, Victoria Nuland, Susan Rice, and Alexander Vindman advised Zelensky to reject Trump’s deal in violation of the Logan Act.”
    You sure could have a lot of fun with that Logan Act thing right now.
    re: Resurrected Hillbilly@8:01AM
    Got your plane ticket yet?

    Like

  16. scenes Avatar
    scenes

    also RH@8:01AM
    Serious request.
    Go to Google news, search for ‘Ukraine ceasefire’, change the last year and move upwards a year at a time.
    They happened continuously for about a decade. It’s meaningless. Prisoner exchanges and bit of a rest period. You’re just picking up some political drivel from a click bait site.
    Peoples’ memory on this kind of thing is basically nil.

    Like

  17. Resurrected Hillbilly Avatar
    Resurrected Hillbilly

    Advised Trump?
    Lol!
    Who was President?
    I didn’t know you were that much of a Trump kiss ass.
    Do you think Trump talks to Putin the way he talked to Zelenskyy?
    Trump kisses Putin’s ass just like he kisses little Kim jong-un’s ass.

    Like

  18. scenes Avatar
    scenes

    From a recent Matt Taibbi podcast:
    “I think basically the American people have been screwed and plundered to prop up the sort of imperial project around the world, and Europeans have been primary beneficiaries. We’ve talked about this before, Walter, about this dichotomy in politics between people who prioritize the needs of empire and those who prioritize the needs of the country. America became essentially a state that ignored almost completely its national concerns in favor of its imperial role. And in doing so, it ended up plundering its own population, not just in terms of the lives, because we sent a lot of young men and women to fight and die for causes that had nothing to do with their own, but also financially.”

    Like

  19. The Estonian Fox Avatar
    The Estonian Fox

    RH @ 8:15AM
    Didn’t you hear? Email from KJU to Trump asks: “We friends yet? See you on the 37th.” And he wasn’t talking the 37th of February.
    Trump’s reply- “Let’s make it the 39th. Or I’ll send Joe Biden and Kamala.”

    Like

  20. fish Avatar
    fish

    What are you two indulging RR’s 500lb Diane Sawyer?

    Like

  21. Gregory Avatar
    Gregory

    Christel, a question:
    Habermas much?

    Like

  22. scenes Avatar
    scenes

    seen on X:
    “In a shocking transcendence of our current paradigm, Trump has simultaneously become Chamberlain and Hitler.”

    Like

  23. scenes Avatar
    scenes

    A fun thing to check out are all the various ‘alt [insert government department]’ accounts on Reddit, X, Facebook, bsky…basically self-styled shadow government accounts with big ol’ groups of dissident government employees. I’ve wasted a few hours doomscrollng on this stuff.
    Just imagine if you were working at a really large company and it’s bought by someone else or a new President gets installed.
    For a normal person, your choices are a)quit or b)do a reasonable job under the new regime
    Instead, a number of .gov employees are running revolutionary groups on social media. Absolutely unethical behavior if done in the private world.
    I mean, seriously, we dodged disaster by getting Elon involved. I expect it’s a close-run thing with no guarantees, but the takeover of policy by the Bureaucracy was obviously well along. The rot may be so deep that they’ll have to destroy the village in order to save it.

    Like

  24. scenes Avatar
    scenes

    So George, how does the Rebane Doctrine deal with this?
    “Norway fuel giant ‘refuses to fill US submarines’ after Trump-Zelensky clash
    Norwegian petroleum giant Haltbakk Bunkers has declared it will no longer help the US Navy.”
    https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/2021304/norway-fuel-giant-refuses-fill
    I guess everything is cool as long as the US follows policies that Norway likes.

    Like

  25. Christel Rauber Avatar
    Christel Rauber

    Gregory, Frankfurt School: I learn you are an informed and “intellectual” person. Adorno (emigrated and later taught at Columbia University), Herbert Marcuse, Erich Fromm, Ludwig von Friedeburg, Habermas and others. (Inspired through Sigmund Freud, Psychoanalysis.) Study Otto Kernberg and learn more about narcissistic personality disorders. Probably you then will understand what kind of politicians you are following now. Psychoanalysis of Narcissism! Very interesting theme. (Has nothing to do with “Nazis!”) Moreover no one will be prisoned in Germany if he repeats lies which occured in social media. Christel

    Like

  26. Christel Rauber Avatar
    Christel Rauber

    Please watch another highly honourable person. Thanks!
    https://youtube.com/watch?v=rKBM2kS6B8o&si=vHrKVXfQ5RV-giib

    Like

  27. The Estonian Fox Avatar
    The Estonian Fox

    Latest email from our President says that he made a mistake. It isn’t English that is the new American approved language, but Estonian. He apologized for getting his “E’ words mixed up! Anyway, four of the letters did match.

    Like

  28. fish Avatar
    fish

    Speaking of highly honorable, a word now from the distinguished Catturd.

    Again, British PM Keir Starmer put on a huge dog and pony show with Zelensky yesterday, but when it came time to write a check, he gave 1/100th of what we’ve paid. 😂
    Good luck with that. Zelensky is your problem now.

    https://x.com/catturd2/status/1896185413817204812?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1896185413817204812%7Ctwgr%5Ea306405acad423816821125e1bf37b00781156b7%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Finstapundit.com%2F705818%2F

    Like

  29. scenes Avatar
    scenes

    “He apologized for getting his “E’ words mixed up!” Elbonian?

    “Moreover no one will be prisoned in Germany if he repeats lies which occured in social media. Christel”
    There sure are a lot in the UK (also, notice the use of the word ‘lies’ rather than ‘opinion’). I thought I’d ask Grok.
    moi: “How many Germans are in jail for internet posts?”
    Grok: There isn’t a single, definitive figure available for how many Germans are currently in jail specifically for internet posts as of March 02, 2025. However, I can provide some context based on available information about Germany’s efforts to police online content.
    Germany has strict laws against hate speech, insults, misinformation, and other forms of illegal online communication, enforced under provisions like Section 130 of the German Criminal Code (incitement to hatred) and the Network Enforcement Act (NetzDG). Penalties can include fines or imprisonment, particularly for repeat offenders or severe cases such as Holocaust denial, displaying Nazi symbols, or inciting violence.
    Reports indicate that German authorities have prosecuted significant numbers of cases related to online activity. For example, in Lower Saxony alone, one hate speech task force successfully prosecuted around 750 cases over four years (approximately 2019–2023), though not all resulted in jail time—many ended in fines. Nationwide, thousands of investigations occur annually. In 2017, the Federal Criminal Police Office logged 2,270 cases of potentially illegal online hate speech, dropping to 1,472 in 2018, showing a high volume of enforcement activity. However, these figures reflect investigations or prosecutions, not necessarily convictions leading to imprisonment.

    Jail sentences are typically reserved for serious or repeated offenses. Most cases result in fines or device confiscation rather than incarceration, as noted by German prosecutors in various interviews. For instance, a fine of 3,750 euros was imposed in one case involving a post about refugee children, rather than jail time.

    …followed by some words on checking with the government sites.
    You know, it would be good to have a better understanding of the propaganda sea Germans and other Europeans swim in, generally we don’t pay much attention hereabouts. Given that there are 30ish members of both the EU and NATO, it won’t be a single state religion, and probably makes them impossible to deal with as a monolith (and also leads to disaster every few decades).

    Like

  30. scenes Avatar
    scenes

    also…on Germany.
    https://nypost.com/2025/02/21/world-news/germans-cant-insult-politicians-which-is-why-we-need-to-protect-free-speech-in-the-us/
    I liked this line:
    “In September, a criminal investigation was opened into a German citizen who called politician Ricarda Lang fat on Gab. Under Section 185 of the German Criminal Code, that individual could serve up to a year in prison.”
    In case someone didn’t see the 60 Minutes:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bMzFDpfDwc
    Actually worth a watch, although I like how the German female looks like a linebacker.
    Without Trump, this is what our future would have been under President Hillary or President Whats-her-name.

    Like

  31. scenes Avatar
    scenes

    meanwhile, in Estonia:
    “This fanatic was born to an Estonian oligarch who become Prime Minister. Her husband made millions in Russia. Then she became PM. Of course she’s happy to pour all resources into wars.
    But sure: let Estonia and the EU fund indefinite war in Ukraine or fight Russia if they want:”
    https://x.com/ggreenwald/status/1896223228215095384

    Like

  32. scenes Avatar
    scenes

    hey psul, in case you’re reading this, remember all the fuss you made about Gen Flynn and the Logan Act?
    Of course, Flynn was a representative of an incoming administration, not an out-of-power cabal.
    https://nypost.com/2025/03/01/opinion/dems-lead-zelensky-ukraine-off-a-cliff-with-pressure-to-reject-mineral-deal/

    Like

  33. fish Avatar
    fish

    Posted by: scenes | 02 March 2025 at 08:58 AM
    hey psul, in case you’re reading this, remember all the fuss you made about Gen Flynn and the Logan Act?
    Of course, Flynn was a representative of an incoming administration, not an out-of-power cabal.

    Not really fair to blame him for this. He was motivated by a higher power (the need to publicly indulge in progressive virtue signaling) which pulled the string at the back of his neck and set him off down the path! I don’t think there was any real thought behind it.
    Any reasonable comparison to previous events is irrelevant.

    Like

  34. fish Avatar
    fish

    I’d forgotten about President Stem’s exasperation with Tiny Grifter back in 2022!

    Joe Biden Lost His Temper With Zelenskyy in 2022. Can You Guess Why?

    Yes! Yes I can!
    https://pjmedia.com/matt-margolis/2025/03/02/joe-biden-lost-his-temper-with-zelenskyy-in-2022-can-you-guess-why-n4937481#google_vignette

    Like

  35. Gregory Avatar
    Gregory

    Christel is conversant with Frankfurt School blather, as expected.
    If you cannot package what you know into an argument, I cannot be bothered with a study of psychology ending with your preferred insights. Sorry, not sorry.
    What party are you aligned with in Germany? Expecting The Left.

    Like

  36. Christel Rauber Avatar
    Christel Rauber

    Gregory, you are wrong!!

    Like

  37. Gregory Avatar
    Gregory

    Madam, you didn’t answer the question.

    Like

  38. scenes Avatar
    scenes

    “What party are you aligned with in Germany? Expecting The Left.”
    That’s a slam dunk. They’re all on The Left.

    Like

  39. Christel Rauber Avatar
    Christel Rauber

    Gregory, you should already know the answer, it is not the Left! I am very glad that the democrat parties won the election.

    Like

  40. Gregory Avatar
    Gregory

    I’m still waiting, madam.
    Internal German politics remains bat-shite crazy.

    Like

  41. scenes Avatar
    scenes

    “Internal German politics remains bat-shite crazy.”
    Perhaps it’s just a reflection of the individual voters.
    I did become curious about German stand-up comedians, and whether such a thing existed.
    Best shot thus far..
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ang6Fw9Ff2k

    Like

  42. scenes Avatar
    scenes

    Speaking of Germans, I had absolutely no idea this happened. Most news is All Trump All The Time after all.
    https://www.timesofisrael.com/argentine-president-opening-files-on-nazi-ratlines-that-trafficked-eichmann-mengele/
    That should actually be interesting if he follows through.

    Like

  43. scenes Avatar
    scenes

    “I’m confused, Zelenskyy is a hero for putting Ukraine first, but Trump is a fascist for putting America first?”
    Insurrection Barbie on X

    Like

  44. Christel Rauber Avatar
    Christel Rauber

    Every person in Germany has the right to act against personal defamation and insults on the Internet or elsewhere. Even a politician does not have to put up with this! You file a complaint with the police. The police hears the complainant and also the slanderer. The matter is then referred to a public prosecutor, who decides whether the incident is of public interest. If so, there will be further hearings with the opposing parties and, if necessary, a civil investigation will be initiated. Further proceedings result in either a conviction or an acquittal.
    The dissemination of illegal content, hate speech and falsehoods on the Internet is a different phenomenon. It reaches millions of people who may not be able to judge what is true or untrue. The aim here is to prevent the deliberate manipulation of people, especially children, when it comes to harmful content. This is the EU’s DSA law.

    Like

  45. scenes Avatar
    scenes

    Christel Rauber: “Every person in Germany has the right to act against personal defamation and insults on the Internet or elsewhere.”
    Just so I get this straight, is it legal to call this person fat?
    https://imgur.com/a/qTR8msf

    Like

  46. fish Avatar
    fish

    Posted by: scenes | 03 March 2025 at 09:14 AM
    ….the truth being an absolute defense?

    Like

  47. Scott O Avatar

    “…to act against personal defamation and insults on the Internet or elsewhere.”
    Who gets to decide what is insulting?
    And why are the police involved?
    Trump is called all sorts of names as well as Musk.
    We notice these German laws only seem to work in “certain” circumstances.
    Sorry – these laws are authoritarian and go directly against free speech.
    That guy with the funny mustache used the same laws for his ends. How did that work out?

    Like

  48. scenes Avatar
    scenes

    re: fish@10:31
    Well, she’s no Maggie De Block, I’ll grant you that.
    It’s funny how the hive mind overuses ‘far-right’. I sometimes think that ‘far-right’ tends to mean ‘anything that regular guys think is reasonable’. Maybe modern politics is simply the feminization of power structures and the endgame for HR departments. A kind of Final Triumph for the mean girls.
    Looking at this (the AfD Manifesto):
    https://www.afd.de/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-04-12_afd-grundsatzprogramm-englisch_web.pdf
    It would be interesting to see just what is wrong here. No doubt there’s something to be criticized if you pick through it line by line.
    Perhaps Ms. Rauber could helps us out by pointing out the evil Nazi part of the thing.

    Like

  49. fish Avatar
    fish

    Posted by: scenes | 03 March 2025 at 11:18 AM
    Perhaps Ms. Rauber could helps us out by pointing out the evil Nazi part of the thing.

    Perhaps. I confess that much like Paul Raymond, jeffy, and any other proglodyte neer do well who visits here I’ve lost all interest in Ms Rauber’s opinions.

    Like

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