This is supposedly what ChatGPT generates when you ask it to come up with a speech Ronald Reagan would give about Ukraine.
""My fellow Americans,
I speak to you today not as a Republican, not as a Democrat, but as an American who believes in freedom, in democracy, and in the sacred duty we have to stand against tyranny wherever it may rise.
For decades, the United States has been a shining city on a hill—a beacon of hope for those oppressed, a defender of liberty, and a friend to those who fight for their own freedom. That is who we are. That is who we have always been. And that is who we must remain.
Today, we see a tyrant in Moscow—Vladimir Putin, a man who mourns the fall of the Soviet Union, not because he seeks peace, but because he longs for empire. A man who crushes dissent, silences opponents, and wages war against a free and sovereign Ukraine.
And yet, we hear voices here at home—some even within our own party—who would rather appease this dictator than oppose him. Who would rather shake his hand than stand firm against his aggression. Who mock and belittle a man like President Zelensky, not because he has failed, but because he has dared to succeed. Because he has dared to resist. Because he has dared to stand on his feet and say, not today, not ever!
Let me be clear: America does not cower before tyrants. America does not abandon its allies. America does not betray those who fight for the very ideals upon which this nation was founded.
Some would have us turn inward, retreat from the world stage, and cozy up to those who despise our way of life. But we have seen this story before, and we know how it ends. Weakness invites aggression. Silence encourages oppression. And appeasement? Appeasement is but a prelude to disaster.
So I ask you, my fellow Americans: Shall we stand with the man who jails his critics, poisons his opponents, and invades his neighbors? Or shall we stand with the man who fights—not for conquest, but for the right of his people to live in peace and liberty?
If America is to remain the last, best hope of Earth, we must choose wisely. Because the free world still looks to us, as it always has. And I say, as I have always said: Mr. Putin, we will not yield. And Mr. Zelensky, we stand with you.
God bless you, and God bless the United States of America"
Apparently Turkey just stopped buying Russian crude. They say it is to comply with "new" sanctions by the EU and US but it feels just a tad too convenient coming right as Erdogan seems to showing a newfound coolness towards Russia.
Also there have been media reports out of Greece and Cyprus indicating both countries are unhappy that France is looking to increase arms sales to Turkey in part due to a newfound closeness between France and Turkey over Syria/Lebanon and the fall of Assad. Obviously somethin g in it for Turkey in all this is getting the Europeans to look the way re: the Kurds. Ukraine is far more important to Europe than the Kurds are and I think everyone knows this. The X factor I can't figure out is to what degree does Erdogan now feel embolden post kicking the Russian off of his southern border to be tougher on them on his northern one.
I don't need time to sort out my thoughts on this so much as I need time to go off and vomit repeatedly about it. From the moment he won the election, we all knew Trump would betray Ukraine like this. Of course, we (or at least I) did make some feeble attempt to believe that somehow he might not do it, but of course he did.
Here we agree, Claire. Hardly to my surprise, Trump has decided to kick Ukraine to the curb for the sake of his legacy as a peacemaker. But as I see it, on that score he’s destined to be disappointed. Ukraine will fight on, and the Western European powers must perforce support Ukraine. So Trump’s demarche will not bring the war to an end. On the contrary, it will prolong it, while driving a wedge into the heart of NATO. Trump’s beloved art of the deal is inapplicable to this European crisis.
Who knows, though? If V. Putin overplays his hand, the ever-mercurial Trump might turn on him. Though the Prince of the Golden Escalator lacks broad strategic vision, he is good at holding a grudge…
Trump isn’t interested in his “legacy as a peacemaker.” He’s simply on Russia’s side in this conflict. That’s why he said that they’re entitled to keep the land they seized by force and that the war is Ukraine’s fault, while also calling for them to hold elections (presumably so Zelensky can be replaced with a Yanukovich style puppet). No need to overthink it or grasp at more benign interpretations that are utterly fanciful. This administration (and by extension the GOP) is now officially pro-Putin and anti-NATO.
Second question? Why exactly is Erdogan and the AKP choosing now as the time to get involved with Ukraine? Does the AKP see the fall of Assad and the complete thrashing of Russia in Syria as a sign to push harder on the neo-Ottomon stuff against Russia.
And last half a question? I assume Claire whatever your thoughts on the AKP and Erdogan in a fight between Erdogan and Putin you fully support Erdogan.
Claire, I would like you to talk more about French strategic nuclear doctrine given you live in France. I am hearing a lot of voices on Twitter saying they believe that Russia could attack France "without" risking a nuclear war that would impact the United States. I would like to see you disabuse people of this notion.
Thank you, Claire for putting this together — although I cannot bear to listen to Trump being his usual dick-head self, nor read the BS that Putin and Company have issued in their press release.
Reading the weasel-worded utterances of our so-called President and his partner in crime are truly heartrending. What a wonderful thing it would be were the two of them to “accidentally” be thrown out of a 10th story window.
Would love to have you follow my page. I have a big long form journalism article coming soon that I’ve been working on. Would love and appreciate your insight.
Why do you think it's definitely also kompromat? I agree that evidence suggests Trump has had a relationship of some kind with Russian intelligence since the 80s. I don't think it's likely that he's a witting asset. I do think it's likely that Russia has put a lot of energy and time into cultivating him, shaping his view of the world, and making it clear that where he's concerned, one hand washes the other.
Because he and his sons have admitted to take Russian money. Remember when Don Jr. said in a 60 minutes interview a good ratio of our assets and bank money is russian?
It is hard to believe this has happened, and it is still happening but it did and it is. It will not end well for all but a few individuals and that's a maybe for them. The world is careening out of synch we're looking at depression. more war, and more bad, bad news. Somehow Donald Trump has persuaded Americans that making America weak is the way to make it "great again". Mind boggling.
I am sick at heart for Ukraine, and devastated that my country has become the means of yet more pain and suffering for the Ukrainian people. As for our European friends…time to fish or cut bait, fellas.
My advice would be for European nations to start rattling their own sabers, just as the foolish Russian TV talking heads proclaim Russia should do to terrify The West into submission (such as the great Atomic Tsunami which would devastate the UK, etc etc).
Hold public discussions inter alia about ramping up weapons manufactures and increasing development budgets, allocate more artillery shells, tanks and aircraft to Ukraine, and for God’s sake, show some fucking backbone - no quibbling about budgets and upcoming elections.
Act like this is a God-damned 5 alarm fire (which it is) and act like real leaders, not like a bunch of ditzy old women who can’t decide on what to order for lunch.
Start discussions with Zelensky about what piece of Russian territory Ukraine would want to occupy on a permanent basis, and then. maybe invite Russia to a conference on the future of a demilitarized, semi-autonomous Kaliningrad.
Japan should move assertively in the Russian Far East — demand negotiations for a peace treaty to end WWII, and to effect immediate reversion of Habomai, Shikotan and Etorofu to Japanese control. Propose re-dividing Sakhalin, with the Japan taking the southern portion or at least splitting the oil and gas revenue with Russia in return for technical and other assistance. At least one of the major US oil companies was in there after the USSR broke up, but was forced to leave the partnership due to corruption. Maybe there is a claim in there for the US side as well.
Do the opposite of Trump’s groveling negotiating stance (i.e. giving away everything Pootie wants and then asking nicely if he would consider a cease-fire deal).
Start negotiating with maximalist demands, and then negotiate away the bits you don’t care about to appease the other side. (Sauce for the goose/ sauce for the gander).
Meanwhile the UK, AUS, CA and NZ should be wary of sharing sensitive intel with the US, given the fact that Trump, Rubio, Gabbard and Hegseth are as likely to blurt out secrets to Russians as they are to follow protocol.
It’s a whole nuther ball game now that once-proud America has become Putin’s doormat.
“Start discussions with Zelensky about what piece of Russian territory Ukraine would want to occupy on a permanent basis, and then. maybe invite Russia to a conference on the future of a demilitarized, semi-autonomous Kaliningrad.” (R Hodson)
Now that’s a really good idea that I haven't heard anyone mention before. Its something that could actually work.
As for your plea for the Europeans to get their act together and behave in a thoughtful, assertive way, as they say in Brooklyn, Fugetaboutit. Europe is toast. The current leaders of the strongest nations in Europe are pathetically weak and short-sighted. If they were replaced, they would be replaced by leaders even less interested in Ukraine and even pro-Russian. Hoping that European leaders will discover a spine is a fantasy. Europe is little more than a dead man walking.
Wig-Wag, we can only hope your appraisal of European leaders’ spinal rectitude is overly pessimistic, however, based on what we have seen and heard from Germany to date, there is no stomach for decisive action. France - assuming Macron has what it takes to get results to match his swagger - is a “maybe.”
Poland — I’d say they are as hawkish as any of the EU group outside of the Baltic states, but unwilling to commit to crossing the border into Ukraine to push Russians back. Britain, under a Labour gov’t and in not so great shape economically, seems unlikely to want to spend more money on defense. But nothing concentrate’s the mind so much as the prospect of imminent … what is the right term? … disembowelment? … so perhaps a miracle may happen.
I like your idea a about Kalingrad. I wonder why no one ever talks about that. Even without attacking it, isolating and embargiing Kalingrad should not be that hard a lift.
Claire: I’m assuming that your comment was directed to me…and if so, I’m not sure that would be a great idea. At the rate things happen under our new Prez, and the rate at which I produce essays, World War III would be over and done with by the time I had anything ready to publish.
Speaking of WWIII, since Trump delights in overturning anything a Democratic predecessor has ever done, why not flip Biden’s statement that “We’re not going to war with Russia”? Donald could just flat out issue an ultimatum to Putin — “End your war in Ukraine and give us 50% of your mineral wealth, forever, or it’s time for the low-down showdown, baby”. Who knows, he might actually EARN that Nobel Peace Prize.
Added Bonus: I cannot imagine anything more gratifying to Trump’s needy, greedy ego than out-dictatoring his favorite dictator.
This is supposedly what ChatGPT generates when you ask it to come up with a speech Ronald Reagan would give about Ukraine.
""My fellow Americans,
I speak to you today not as a Republican, not as a Democrat, but as an American who believes in freedom, in democracy, and in the sacred duty we have to stand against tyranny wherever it may rise.
For decades, the United States has been a shining city on a hill—a beacon of hope for those oppressed, a defender of liberty, and a friend to those who fight for their own freedom. That is who we are. That is who we have always been. And that is who we must remain.
Today, we see a tyrant in Moscow—Vladimir Putin, a man who mourns the fall of the Soviet Union, not because he seeks peace, but because he longs for empire. A man who crushes dissent, silences opponents, and wages war against a free and sovereign Ukraine.
And yet, we hear voices here at home—some even within our own party—who would rather appease this dictator than oppose him. Who would rather shake his hand than stand firm against his aggression. Who mock and belittle a man like President Zelensky, not because he has failed, but because he has dared to succeed. Because he has dared to resist. Because he has dared to stand on his feet and say, not today, not ever!
Let me be clear: America does not cower before tyrants. America does not abandon its allies. America does not betray those who fight for the very ideals upon which this nation was founded.
Some would have us turn inward, retreat from the world stage, and cozy up to those who despise our way of life. But we have seen this story before, and we know how it ends. Weakness invites aggression. Silence encourages oppression. And appeasement? Appeasement is but a prelude to disaster.
So I ask you, my fellow Americans: Shall we stand with the man who jails his critics, poisons his opponents, and invades his neighbors? Or shall we stand with the man who fights—not for conquest, but for the right of his people to live in peace and liberty?
If America is to remain the last, best hope of Earth, we must choose wisely. Because the free world still looks to us, as it always has. And I say, as I have always said: Mr. Putin, we will not yield. And Mr. Zelensky, we stand with you.
God bless you, and God bless the United States of America"
First Chamberlin redux at Munich.
Then Molotov-Ribbentrop in Saudi Arabia.
https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/german-soviet-pact
Apparently Turkey just stopped buying Russian crude. They say it is to comply with "new" sanctions by the EU and US but it feels just a tad too convenient coming right as Erdogan seems to showing a newfound coolness towards Russia.
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/turkeys-top-refiner-tupras-stops-russian-crude-purchases-after-sanctions-2025-02-18/
Also there have been media reports out of Greece and Cyprus indicating both countries are unhappy that France is looking to increase arms sales to Turkey in part due to a newfound closeness between France and Turkey over Syria/Lebanon and the fall of Assad. Obviously somethin g in it for Turkey in all this is getting the Europeans to look the way re: the Kurds. Ukraine is far more important to Europe than the Kurds are and I think everyone knows this. The X factor I can't figure out is to what degree does Erdogan now feel embolden post kicking the Russian off of his southern border to be tougher on them on his northern one.
This is an article from Politico on French arms sales to Turkey and the Greek response.
https://www.politico.eu/article/greece-press-france-missile-sale-turkey/
I hope, really hope, that Trump is doing his usual "turd in the punchbowl" diplomacy.
Toss it in and see how people react.
We are already seeing one ripple in Erdogan's announcement.
I also really hope that the Europeans put on their big boy pants.
I also hope that Putin overplays his hand and gets Trump to pull back.
An awful lot of hoping.
Instead of hope you could have tried listening to the warnings.
Your vote would have been worth something to Ukraine. Your hope is worth nothing.
We could both pony up and pitch in for one of their supply funds.
I don't need time to sort out my thoughts on this so much as I need time to go off and vomit repeatedly about it. From the moment he won the election, we all knew Trump would betray Ukraine like this. Of course, we (or at least I) did make some feeble attempt to believe that somehow he might not do it, but of course he did.
Because "important" people are shitheads. Greedy, power hungry, self-immolating shitheads.
The truly important, legitimately powerful, people do not need to sink to these self-humiliating levels. Such is the Human Comedy.
Here we agree, Claire. Hardly to my surprise, Trump has decided to kick Ukraine to the curb for the sake of his legacy as a peacemaker. But as I see it, on that score he’s destined to be disappointed. Ukraine will fight on, and the Western European powers must perforce support Ukraine. So Trump’s demarche will not bring the war to an end. On the contrary, it will prolong it, while driving a wedge into the heart of NATO. Trump’s beloved art of the deal is inapplicable to this European crisis.
Who knows, though? If V. Putin overplays his hand, the ever-mercurial Trump might turn on him. Though the Prince of the Golden Escalator lacks broad strategic vision, he is good at holding a grudge…
Trump isn’t interested in his “legacy as a peacemaker.” He’s simply on Russia’s side in this conflict. That’s why he said that they’re entitled to keep the land they seized by force and that the war is Ukraine’s fault, while also calling for them to hold elections (presumably so Zelensky can be replaced with a Yanukovich style puppet). No need to overthink it or grasp at more benign interpretations that are utterly fanciful. This administration (and by extension the GOP) is now officially pro-Putin and anti-NATO.
Second question? Why exactly is Erdogan and the AKP choosing now as the time to get involved with Ukraine? Does the AKP see the fall of Assad and the complete thrashing of Russia in Syria as a sign to push harder on the neo-Ottomon stuff against Russia.
And last half a question? I assume Claire whatever your thoughts on the AKP and Erdogan in a fight between Erdogan and Putin you fully support Erdogan.
Claire, I would like you to talk more about French strategic nuclear doctrine given you live in France. I am hearing a lot of voices on Twitter saying they believe that Russia could attack France "without" risking a nuclear war that would impact the United States. I would like to see you disabuse people of this notion.
Are you seeing real people, as opposed to Russian bots, advance this argument? If it escapes Twitter and becomes mainstream, I'll write about it.
Thank you, Claire for putting this together — although I cannot bear to listen to Trump being his usual dick-head self, nor read the BS that Putin and Company have issued in their press release.
Reading the weasel-worded utterances of our so-called President and his partner in crime are truly heartrending. What a wonderful thing it would be were the two of them to “accidentally” be thrown out of a 10th story window.
Whatever that kompromat is, it must be really potent.
Would love to have you follow my page. I have a big long form journalism article coming soon that I’ve been working on. Would love and appreciate your insight.
I was in the hospital this week. Now I’m back at it so I’ll get caught up on reading your great and informative posts.
Do you follow Dave Troy? He has a site that addresses all of this in great and meticulous detail. Also Seth abramson.
It’s bad. And it involves money. Prostitutes and worse.
It is potent.
I don't think it's kompromat. I think it's ideological convergence. They embrace and share Dugin's vision.
It’s both. It’s definitely definitely also kompromat. Trump has been a Russian asset and agent since the 80s.
Why do you think it's definitely also kompromat? I agree that evidence suggests Trump has had a relationship of some kind with Russian intelligence since the 80s. I don't think it's likely that he's a witting asset. I do think it's likely that Russia has put a lot of energy and time into cultivating him, shaping his view of the world, and making it clear that where he's concerned, one hand washes the other.
Because he and his sons have admitted to take Russian money. Remember when Don Jr. said in a 60 minutes interview a good ratio of our assets and bank money is russian?
I honestly can't imagine what kompromat they could have on him that's worse than what we already know about him.
It is hard to believe this has happened, and it is still happening but it did and it is. It will not end well for all but a few individuals and that's a maybe for them. The world is careening out of synch we're looking at depression. more war, and more bad, bad news. Somehow Donald Trump has persuaded Americans that making America weak is the way to make it "great again". Mind boggling.
I am sick at heart for Ukraine, and devastated that my country has become the means of yet more pain and suffering for the Ukrainian people. As for our European friends…time to fish or cut bait, fellas.
My advice would be for European nations to start rattling their own sabers, just as the foolish Russian TV talking heads proclaim Russia should do to terrify The West into submission (such as the great Atomic Tsunami which would devastate the UK, etc etc).
Hold public discussions inter alia about ramping up weapons manufactures and increasing development budgets, allocate more artillery shells, tanks and aircraft to Ukraine, and for God’s sake, show some fucking backbone - no quibbling about budgets and upcoming elections.
Act like this is a God-damned 5 alarm fire (which it is) and act like real leaders, not like a bunch of ditzy old women who can’t decide on what to order for lunch.
Start discussions with Zelensky about what piece of Russian territory Ukraine would want to occupy on a permanent basis, and then. maybe invite Russia to a conference on the future of a demilitarized, semi-autonomous Kaliningrad.
Japan should move assertively in the Russian Far East — demand negotiations for a peace treaty to end WWII, and to effect immediate reversion of Habomai, Shikotan and Etorofu to Japanese control. Propose re-dividing Sakhalin, with the Japan taking the southern portion or at least splitting the oil and gas revenue with Russia in return for technical and other assistance. At least one of the major US oil companies was in there after the USSR broke up, but was forced to leave the partnership due to corruption. Maybe there is a claim in there for the US side as well.
Do the opposite of Trump’s groveling negotiating stance (i.e. giving away everything Pootie wants and then asking nicely if he would consider a cease-fire deal).
Start negotiating with maximalist demands, and then negotiate away the bits you don’t care about to appease the other side. (Sauce for the goose/ sauce for the gander).
Meanwhile the UK, AUS, CA and NZ should be wary of sharing sensitive intel with the US, given the fact that Trump, Rubio, Gabbard and Hegseth are as likely to blurt out secrets to Russians as they are to follow protocol.
It’s a whole nuther ball game now that once-proud America has become Putin’s doormat.
“Start discussions with Zelensky about what piece of Russian territory Ukraine would want to occupy on a permanent basis, and then. maybe invite Russia to a conference on the future of a demilitarized, semi-autonomous Kaliningrad.” (R Hodson)
Now that’s a really good idea that I haven't heard anyone mention before. Its something that could actually work.
As for your plea for the Europeans to get their act together and behave in a thoughtful, assertive way, as they say in Brooklyn, Fugetaboutit. Europe is toast. The current leaders of the strongest nations in Europe are pathetically weak and short-sighted. If they were replaced, they would be replaced by leaders even less interested in Ukraine and even pro-Russian. Hoping that European leaders will discover a spine is a fantasy. Europe is little more than a dead man walking.
Wig-Wag, we can only hope your appraisal of European leaders’ spinal rectitude is overly pessimistic, however, based on what we have seen and heard from Germany to date, there is no stomach for decisive action. France - assuming Macron has what it takes to get results to match his swagger - is a “maybe.”
Poland — I’d say they are as hawkish as any of the EU group outside of the Baltic states, but unwilling to commit to crossing the border into Ukraine to push Russians back. Britain, under a Labour gov’t and in not so great shape economically, seems unlikely to want to spend more money on defense. But nothing concentrate’s the mind so much as the prospect of imminent … what is the right term? … disembowelment? … so perhaps a miracle may happen.
I like your idea a about Kalingrad. I wonder why no one ever talks about that. Even without attacking it, isolating and embargiing Kalingrad should not be that hard a lift.
Just checked in with Europe, they're still alive.
Which means you're basing your argument on unfalsifiable claims...
So are you a sucker or a stooge?
Would you like to expand this into an article? I'd run it.
Claire: I’m assuming that your comment was directed to me…and if so, I’m not sure that would be a great idea. At the rate things happen under our new Prez, and the rate at which I produce essays, World War III would be over and done with by the time I had anything ready to publish.
Speaking of WWIII, since Trump delights in overturning anything a Democratic predecessor has ever done, why not flip Biden’s statement that “We’re not going to war with Russia”? Donald could just flat out issue an ultimatum to Putin — “End your war in Ukraine and give us 50% of your mineral wealth, forever, or it’s time for the low-down showdown, baby”. Who knows, he might actually EARN that Nobel Peace Prize.
Added Bonus: I cannot imagine anything more gratifying to Trump’s needy, greedy ego than out-dictatoring his favorite dictator.
Putin is laughing up his sleeve. All his meddling in our elections on Trump’s behalf have finally paid off.