Just a Thought

This thought below is my {Diane Sori) thought alone, and does not necessarily represent the views of blogspot.or google.com 

 

[[[ Something to think about…the reason Russia still has not won against Ukraine is because Putin still thinks he has the might of the old Soviet Union…he does not. The reason we have not yet won in Iran is because Trump still thinks ‘The Art of the Deal’ easily translates into ‘The Art of Wars Won’..it does not. ]]]

 Copyright @ 2026 Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / All Rights Reserved.  

Op-ed:

On Blockades, Turkey, and the Economics of War

By: Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor

This opinion piece is my opinion alone, and does not necessarily represent the views of blogspot.or google.com

 

...So now as I write this, Erdogan is still hoping to make the F-35 deal with Trump...our president who sadly still does not fully understand the ideology nor the objectives of Islam. And Erdogan will happily sign on the dotted line with fingers crossed behind his back as Israel...as Netanyahu...who is vehemently opposed to this deal...gets stabbed in the back once again.

And lost in this, a war now seemingly going nowhere fast, has been the outward voices of both Russia and China...the voices of both Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping...who one would think would play a big yet albeit silent part in our war with Iran especially with both countries trying to make inroads into the Middle East.

So here let's start with Russia and Vladimir Putin by first understanding that Russia has maintained somewhat of a delicate balancing act in the Middle East by having friendly and growing trade and other relations with Israel coupled with Putin having a friendship of sorts with Benjamin Netanyahu in spite of Russia's military ties with Iran...or as Putin calls it, “a nuanced relationship.”...Read entire article here.

Op-ed:

On Blockades, Turkey, and the Economics of War  

By: Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor  

This opinion piece is my opinion alone, and does not necessarily represent the views of blogspot.or google.com

As the “on again, off again” war with Iran continues on...in fact the war is assuredly expanding when on Saturday, as I was writing this, CENTCOM reported that two U.S. troops stationed in Jordan had been killed with another reported missing after Iran started lobbing ballistic missiles and drones into Jordan on Friday.

Sadly, even with that news, our country still remains divided over both the logistics of how this war is being fought and who is actually the one calling all the shots and why no matter that some interesting but not unexpected developments have occurred, including that the much ballyhooed Trump re-initiated blockade of the “Strait of Hormuz” is back in full operational mode. 

And while I admit that I have not been pleased with some of the decisions Trump has made, here I must come to his defense in regards to the fact that many nations, including some of our allies, continue to condemn his reinstating of the blockade.Why so...because I truly believe that they do not understand the cause and effect legalities involved. For example, while “The International Law of Naval Warfare (LONW) governs actual armed conflict at sea, it's the“Law of Armed Conflict” (LOAC) that dictates hostilities, distinction, and the proportionality of war, and that both do combine together to meld into the “United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea” (UNCLOS). And while it's this law that requires “unimpeded passage” through the “Strait of Hormuz” and other what are deemed to be “vital and neutral waterways,” there is caveat in these laws which states as long as the nation initiating the blockade respects the terms as written in the “San Remo Manual” that they are legally able to do so.

So what exactly is this all important “San Remo Manual”...which President Trump surely had to know about...but a list of demands including that both“belligerent and neutral states” be made fully aware of the fact that a blockade was to be put into effect; that said blockade would be effective in its endeavors; that the blockade can be enforced impartially against vessels from all nations both friends and foes alike; that the blockade is not being put into place for the sole purpose of starving civilian populations; and that humanitarian relief and aid must be allowed to reach said civilian populations if they have not already been adequately provided for.

And while President Trump, I'm sure has followed the letter of the law in regards to the “San Remo Manual”...Secretary of State Marco Rubio would most assuredly see to that..I'm just as sure that Iran has not and likely never will follow said manual. Why so...because their actions already taken... actions clearly in direct violation of said manual...are there for all to see. And this includes Iran's so-called “indiscriminate mining” of the Strait minus their having not given the “San Remo Manual” required “notice of hazardous zones” to those involved; coupled with their also having not taken the much needed precautions to safeguard civilians when they originally started mining the Strait. Now add in the fact that Iran also did not comply with the required tracking of those mines nor did they issue the also required mariner notifications...again as per the “Sam Remo Manual.”

 

And no matter the words of the naysayers, the law itself continues to be on Trump's side regarding the reinstated blockade not only as per all I just stated, but also as per his being given Constitutional authority as Commander-in-Chief under Article II of the U.S. Constitution, to order military operations to protect American security interests and those of our allies abroad courtesy of a “proportional response” to, what were in this case, Iran's ceasefire breaking attacks on commercial vessels, and also on our military assets in the area.

 

Simply, the “Strait of Hormuz” was and must remain a legally free-to-use and safe international waterway, and Trump, courtesy of said reinstated blockade, is attempting to keep it that way as witnessed by his recent cancelling of his wanted 20% “safe passage” protection fee...after all even broken a clock is right twice a day.

So while President Trump was not just right, but legally right, in his reinstating the “Gulf of Hormuz” naval blockade, he was, in my opinion, totally wrong in even thinking of selling U.S. F-35 jets to Turkey...Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Turkey. Why so...because Erdogan's no longer being veiled anti-Israel rhetoric regarding the “Jewish State” being an “existential and genocidal threat to the region,” has become not only a growing destabilizing factor in and of itself, but poses numerous security and geopolitical risks not just to Israel but to our country and our other allies as well.

How so...because with Turkey continuing to operate the Russian S-400 air-defense system, this alone could possibly allow Russia to study and then compromise the F-35's actual stealth capabilities. Trump should know this as well as he should know that 2017's “Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act” (CAATSA) was designed to penalize not reward countries that engage in “significant business transactions” involving the defense or intelligence sectors operating under Russian technology...as does Turkey, Iran, and North Korea.

But Erdogan knew exactly how to bypass this law by his“reportedly” transferring Turkey's S-400 defense system to a yet to be disclosed Gulf state, while at the same time relishing in the fact that Trump has already announced plans to lift U.S. sanctions on Turkey. Nothing like stabbing our ally Israel in the back yet again...nothing like hoping to successfully “pull the wool' over Trump's eyes.

So now as I write this, Erdogan is still hoping to make the F-35 deal with Trump...our president who sadly still does not fully understand the ideology nor the objectives of Islam. And Erdogan will happily sign on the dotted line with fingers crossed behind his back as Israel...as Netanyahu...who is vehemently opposed to this deal...gets stabbed in the back once again.

And lost in this, a war now seemingly going nowhere fast, has been the outward voices of both Russia and China...the voices of both Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping...who one would think would play a big yet albeit silent part in our war with Iran especially with both countries trying to make inroads into the Middle East.

So here let's start with Russia and Vladimir Putin by first understanding that Russia has maintained somewhat of a delicate balancing act in the Middle East by having friendly and growing trade and other relations with Israel coupled with Putin having a friendship of sorts with Benjamin Netanyahu in spite of Russia's military ties with Iran...or as Putin calls it, “a nuanced relationship.”

Economics folks...simple economics helps to drive wars forward or keeps them contained...and economics more times than not does determine which side of a war a country will or will not be on.

And that which is economics worked in our, Israel's, and Russia's favor here. How so...because Putin was well aware that with almost two million people of Russian descent...people who fled to Israel from what was (thanks to Reagan) the then fallen Soviet Union...people who economically flourished in Israel...people who sent money home to family still in Russia in an effort to help keep alive their cultural ties to Russia. And this in time saw Russia opening the door to a modern day melding of cultural and economic ties with Israel, which aided Russia economically and on the global political front. How so... by not only helping to preserve Russia's Middle East geopolitical influence, but by it helping to temper down what Russia deemed to be “international economic alienation.”

So with Russia also being culturally and of course economically way more like Israel than it is Iran, and with trade relations with Israel now proving to be extremely beneficial to Russia as it helps with the economic drain the Ukraine war is putting on Russia's economy...Putin was wise enough to see that making amends with Israel was not only the right thing to do but that outwardly supporting Iran was far from a smart idea.

So for his and Russia's sake, Vladimir Putin wisely chose to be a somewhat “neutral observer” rather than his having to choose a definitive side to be on in regards to the Iran war. And know that if Putin had outwardly chosen to side with Iran that this war could well have included actual flashpoints between the U.S. and Russia as well...flashpoints whose outcome need not be said.

And so Putin being an “observer” rather than a player has helped to keep this war somewhat geographically contained...a good thing indeed.

Now in regards to why Xi Jinping and China, who also could have been a key player in the Iran War but thankfully is not, that too on some level is because of simple economics coupled with China's growing concerns that any assistance they could provide to Iran, while it might aid Iran’s ability to retaliate in the short term, it could end up involving China in a war with the U.S. either militarily or economically which surely would not be advantageous for China.

So now it seems that as the war continues on that what China wants is a “flexible alignments over the formal defense alliances that America has long prized.” And while China has, at times, openly condemned America and Israeli strikes and actions against Iran, it chooses instead to remain busy expanding its economic ties with Iran’s neighboring Gulf States in hopes of at least neutralizing America's regional influence.

Also, China remains very busy keeping an eye on Taiwan, while at the same time constructing what they call a “no limits” partnership with Russia to help in the reconstruction of a postwar Ukraine...that is if Russia wins said war. Simply, the current mindset of China remains that of "strategic ambiguity" in hopes of maintaining and then expanding trade ties with what they consider to be Middle East power brokers, which in turn would directly aid in growing China's economy.

Simply, like with Russia, China favors looking out for itself rather than wasting monies on giving material military support to Iran.

And so Iran is basically on its own, but with the mullahs now saying they will fight to the death, maybe President Trump should start worrying about just how...bio-weapons perhaps...and who will go down with them. Case closed. 

Copyright @ 2026 Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / All Rights Reserved.

************************************************************************************************** For more political commentary please visit my RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS partner Craig Andresen's blog The National Patriot to read his latest article, Hormuz and Beyond.

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RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS...LIVE! 

Tomorrow, Tuesday, July 21st from 7 to 8:30pm EST, RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS Craig Andresen and Diane Sori discuss 'On Blockades, Turkey, and the Economics of War'; 'Hormuz and Beyond'; and important news of the day. Tune in to RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS on https://rspradio1.com Click 'LISTEN LIVE.' 

RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS...Podcast 

Here's the podcast of last nights LIVE radio broadcast where RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS Craig Andresen and Diane Sori discussed the latest Iran updates; Putin's nuclear win with Kazakhstan; Newsom’s proposed100% tax on all funds received by California from the DOJ's anti-weaponization fund; and our Q&A 'Off the Cuff' segment.Listen to it on https://rspradio1.podbean.com or on our RSP website at https://rspradio1.com/?page_id=39 

RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS...LIVE! 

Today, Friday, May 29th from 7 to 8:00pm EST, RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS Craig Andresen and Diane Sori discuss the latest Iran updates; Putin's nuclear win with Kazakhstan; Newsom’s proposed100% tax on all funds received by California from the DOJ's anti-weaponization fund; and our Q&A 'Off the Cuff' segment. Tune in to RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS on https://rspradio1.com Click 'LISTEN LIVE.' 

RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS...Podcast 

Here's the podcast of last nights LIVE radio broadcast where Right Side Patriots Craig Andresen and Diane Sori discussed 'A Condemnation, A Declaration, and Hopes for Peace'; 'Enough Was Enough'; the latest on Iran including intercepted secret communications regarding the awakening of terrorist sleeper cells; and Trump not happy with Putin. Listen to it on https://rspradio1.podbean.com or on our Right Side Patriots website at https://rspradio1.com/?page_id=39 

RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS...LIVE! 

Today, Tuesday, March 10th from 7 to 8:30pm EST, RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS Craig Andresen and Diane Sori discuss 'A Condemnation, A Declaration, and Hopes for Peace'; 'Enough Was Enough'; the latest on Iran including intercepted secret communications regarding the awakening of terrorist sleeper cells; and Trump not happy with Putin.Tune in to RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS on https://rspradio1.com Click 'LISTEN LIVE.'

Op-ed:

The “Donroe Doctrine”...Cuba or Bust

By: Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor

The article posted here is the authors opinion alone, and does not necessarily represent the views of blogspot.com or Google   

 

..After all, Maduro’s recent capture has effectively not only taken away Cuba’s closest ally, but it's much needed oil source as well, thus allowing the Cuba/Russia ties to grow even stronger, and hence geopolitically more dangerous to us.  

 

And so Russia will continue to provide Cuba with both vital economic supplies...including oil supplies...as well as military support as Cuba continues to face one of its worst economic crises since the 1950s. And in return Cuba will continue supplying Russia with strategic access and a geopolitical foothold in the Americas...a rebirth not unlike that of the “Cold War,” albeit somewhat more silent in rhetoric yet possibly more deadly in application.

 

This is exactly why Cuba must be dealt with either now or possibly in the not so distant future for application of rhetoric does at times tend to lead to military intervention. And I do not mean “limited military intervention” as was rightfully done in Venezuela, but intervention as in “boots on the ground” full-scale invasion, something both President Trump and the American people surely, at least at this point in time, do not want to see happen, especially with Cuba being so close to the U.S...Read entire article here.

Op-ed:

The “Donroe Doctrine”...Cuba or Bust

By: Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor

The article posted here is the authors opinion alone, and does not necessarily represent the views of blogspot.com or Google   

The “Donroe Doctrine,” Trump's newest catchphrase...a catchphrase initiated by the 'New York Post' after the toppling of Venezuela's dictator Nicolas Maduro...is a phrase one either likes or hates, but either way has to admit that it works for now and hopefully into the future.

Built on a foundation of righteousness, peppered with a healthy dose of ego, the “Donroe Doctrine” is sort of like the “Monroe Doctrine” but on steroids. The “Monroe Doctrine”...written in 1823 by then President James Monroe ... did officially affirm that European powers should not colonize or interfere in the then newly established independent nations of the Western Hemisphere, while also stating that in return that we...the now United States of America... would stay out of European affairs.

So now the question becomes, have we or Europe been faithful to the very document we and they signed...with the answer being not really. Why so... because said document was routinely ignored by both sides most especially during the 19th century in regards to European colonization, intervention, and occupation in Latin America, with one key case in point being the 1845 “British and French Blockade of Argentina.” This is where both nations  imposed a naval blockade on Argentina to enforce trade access, thus basically ignoring the doctrine's key components.

But the past is the past, and both we and Europe should have learned from mistakes made, as well as now understanding that in today's highly volatile world that sometimes the rigidness of the past, as laid down in the “Monroe Doctrine,” should become more flexible in its need to be updated in both its implementation and its corresponding actions taken. This is exactly what President Trump has done in widening the scope of said doctrine by his bending its original scope to now include that neither Russia, China, nor Iran will, on his watch, be able to move their anti-American scope of influence into the Western Hemisphere.

Simply, what Trump just did with his “Donroe Doctrine” moniker was give the “Monroe Doctrine” a 21st century update. And by doing so President Trump sent a stern warning to our enemies...both foreign and domestic...that America will no longer sit idly by...as did the Biden administration...and watch our Western Hemisphere nor our America's interests, both foreign and domestic, be corrupted by those trying to encroach upon us economically, militarily, or in Maduro's case via the smuggling of drugs into our country with the goal of killing Americans.

And in Trump's saying that he will use a mix of military pressure, strong economic coercion, selective alliance-building, and what can be assumed to be rightful score-settling...with score-settling being quite unnerving and worrisome for some foreign adversaries...a roadmap of sorts as to Trump's next actions has been laid out that some of us clearly see. How so...because with Trump having already set his sights on removing the dictators physically near to our country, can the communist dictatorship that is Cuba be next on his list...I believe it is. but when is the question.

Why so...simply because Cuba...the country once called the “Key to the New World" and the “Key to American Commerce”...the now communist run country but a mere 90 miles from our shore...has been a thorn in America's side for over seven decades...a thorn thanks to Fidel Castro and now thanks to it's so-called president, one Miguel Diaz-Canel. And when you add in that according to current satellite imagery China is now in the process of both expanding and upgrading its already in existence network of electronic Cuban based spying facilities...facilities near both Havana and Guantanamo Bay...and possibly even has started to build a military base of operations in Cuba, one can see why Cuba must be dealt with now before it is too late to do so.

And now when you also add in the fact that not only is Cuba's economic crisis growing, and along with it the suffering of the Cuban people, and that Cuba's reliance on subsidized oil from Venezuelan along with their government's outward support for Maduro's dictatorial regime should, when melded together, make Cuba Trump's next target, if you will. Why so, why now, and will it actually happen are the questions now coming into play as Trump has been afforded the opportunity to do what needed to be done, but was not done with the “Bay of Pigs” invasion failure so many decades ago...as in return Cuba to its once “favored nations” status. Remember, Cuba once was a U.S. de facto “protectorate” with deep economic ties between our two countries. Google it if you don't believe me.

And then there's Russia...both Putin's current Russian involvement with Cuba as well as the old Soviet Union's involvement in Cuba back in the days of the “Cold War.” Remember, the “Cold War” was when the old Soviet Union became Cuba's main economic and military partner, and when Russia not only built key strategic military outposts in Cuba...outposts like the Lourdes SIGINT (Signals Intelligence) station near Havana...but was the time when Russia paid Cuba a $200 million annual subsidy from 1962 to the outposts closing in August 2002. But know that in July 2014, reports did start to surface that Russia and Cuba had agreed to reopen the facility for usage by Russian intelligence, which they did then and still do today.

Interesting I'd say, especially in light of the fact that Russia's ties with Cuba currently remain strong as Russia...as Putin...continues to give Cuba massive amounts of economic aid as well as major military cooperation...a security guarantee of sorts if you will.

And why exactly does Russia...why does Putin...continue to aid and have ties to Cuba? It's not just because the two nations share anti-American geopolitical interests and sentiments, nor is it because said ties work to counter U.S. influence in the region while helping to secure Russia's strategic presence in our not their Western Hemisphere. And it surely is not just because Cuba has actively supported both Soviet and now Russia's operations in Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America by their sending troops and supplying intelligence information.

So why then the ties...because Russia...because Putin...will have Cuba's back as long as Cuba continues to have their back, which is akin to camaraderie... misplaced camaraderie running deep even amongst those unsightly sorts who are thugs, thieves and despots. After all, Maduro’s recent capture has effectively not only taken away Cuba’s closest ally, but it's much needed oil source as well, thus allowing the Cuba/Russia ties to grow even stronger, and hence geopolitically more dangerous to us.

And so Russia will continue to provide Cuba with both vital economic supplies...including oil supplies...as well as military support as Cuba continues to face one of its worst economic crises since the 1950s. And in return Cuba will continue supplying Russia with strategic access and a geopolitical foothold in the Americas...a rebirth not unlike that of the “Cold War,” albeit somewhat more silent in rhetoric yet possibly more deadly in application.

This is exactly why Cuba must be dealt with either now or possibly in the not so distant future for application of rhetoric does at times tend to lead to military intervention. And I do not mean “limited military intervention” as was rightfully done in Venezuela, but intervention as in “boots on the ground” full-scale invasion, something both President Trump and the American people surely, at least at this point in time, do not want to see happen, especially with Cuba being so close to the U.S.

And while Trump himself stated on January 4th that, “I don’t think we need (to take) any action, Cuba looks like it’s ready to fall,” he forgets that Cuba has been failing to some degree ever since New Years Eve 1959 when Fidel Castro took over, and has gotten steadily worse since Castro's death on November 25, 2016, as the impoverished and suffering Cuban people were still forced to live under yet another oppressive dictatorship led by Castro's brother Raul. 

So what exactly can or should President Trump do in regards to Cuba now that it appears, at least for the time being, that he has ruled out military intervention? Knowing from history that the most successful regime changes start and happen from within, Trump could start subliminally encouraging a populist uprising to overthrow the Cuban government, and pepper it with a promise to help end their lives of basically no food, no power, and no money. Remember, Trump also recently said that, “I don’t know if they’re going to hold out, but Cuba now has no income. They got all their income from Venezuela, from the Venezuelan oil,” a key fact that many have overlooked.

Simply, Cuba needs money not the nickles and dimes that Russia continues to throw at her, but hard core American dollars in order to help them rebuild what was once a prosperous and free nation. For Cuba that freedom involves more than just fuel for power plants or the return of basic services...it involves changing the mindset of the Cuban people themselves...changing three generations of people who know nothing except communism for those oldsters still living in Cuba today who remember Cuba before the revolution are mostly in their 80s or 90s by now.*

So this is my suggestion to President Trump, the man I voted for three times, and whom I would vote for again if it was Constitutionally allowed. First, I would wait to see how the Iranian protest situation turns out, to see if their populist uprising was successful or not without our intervention...militarily or otherwise. Why so...because it's success would solidify the true will of the Iranian people, and maybe then light a spark of hope in oppressed people everywhere, including in the Cuban people.

Second, I would then decide, again based upon the Iranian outcome, to either go into Cuba militarily or leave Cuba to its own devices...no limited in scope involvement...it's an all or nothing situation...no gray areas involved. Why so...because Cuba has been under strict communist rule for 66 years, meaning the Cuban people are too far gone to understand any other kind of rule whether said rule be benevolent or not... time alone has proven that.

Simply, we cannot nor should not be the world's conscience nor its police force unless absolutely necessary, for today's world is a different and more dangerous place than it was even a generation ago. We need to choose and prioritize both our battles and actual involvements more wisely, after all “America First”... MAGA...was Trump's and our election battle cry...hopefully we can keep it that way. Case closed.

_____________________________________________________________ 

Footnote:

* For those who want to read the truth about Castro and the Cuban revolution read my husband's family's story here: 'A Personal Glimpse Into Castro’s Hell' ... it is as relevant today as when I wrote it back in November 29, 2016 following the death of Fidel Castro.

 Copyright © 2026 Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / All rights reserved. 

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For more political commentary please visit my RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS partner Craig Andresen's blog The National Patriot to read his latest article, The Minneapolis Domestic Terrorist Mom.

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RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS...LIVE!                                                              Tomorrow, Tuesday, January 13th from 7 to 8:30pm EST, RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS Craig Andresen and Diane Sori discuss 'The "Donroe Doctrine"...Cuba or Bust'; The Minneapolis Domestic Terrorist Mom'; and important news of the day. Hope you can tune in to RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS on https://rspradio1.com Click 'LISTEN LIVE' starting at 6:50pm EST, show begins at 7pm EST. 

Op-ed: 

Peace Cannot Exist When Problems Remain Unsolved 

By: Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / Right Side Patriots / Right Side Patriots Radio

The article posted here is the authors opinion alone, and does not necessarily represent the views of blogspot.com or Google 

...And that which I just stated is what I believe Putin's war with Ukraine is really all about...as in permanent oil access. plus the eventual rebuilding of the old Soviet Union.

But being as arrogant as he is, Vladimir Putin truly believes that not only will he eventually be victorious in this his ultimate legacy endeavor, as there remains the possibility that Putin has all along been cloaking himself in talking of wanting peace while the KGB trained agent within him tries to play both Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy in the same way that Hitler did Neville Chamberlain almost 100 years ago.

And why do I say this...because last Wednesday, Putin warned that Russia should hold “veto power” over any security actions to assist Ukraine after a peace deal is reached, rendering planned Western security guarantees for Kyiv moot at this point. A setback in peace talks already involving the logistics of the “land grabs” currently on the negotiating table for if Putin were to acquire “veto power” regarding Ukraine's security it equates to more than just “appeasement” as it opens the door for Putin's...Read entire article here.

Op-ed: 

Peace Cannot Exist When Problems Remain Unsolved 

By: Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / Right Side Patriots / Right Side Patriots Radio

The article posted here is the authors opinion alone, and does not necessarily represent the views of blogspot.com or Google  

  

“Both sides are going to have to make concessions to end Russia's war in Ukraine.”  

- Secretary of State Marco Rubio

The now 3-1/2 year old war between Russia and Ukraine is a war primarily stained by the blood of innocent civilian lives lost while also, not so surprisingly, being a war engulfed in “Cold War” aspects as well. How so... because like the “Cold War” of the 20th century, this war has all the hallmarks of being able to spread...whether just verbally or more way likely tangibly...if some kind of workable and lasting peace deal is not reached anytime soon.

What started as a territorial dispute between Russia and Ukraine could well expand into neighboring NATO nations, thus directly drawing the U.S. into it as well. And with a somewhat altered version of NATO's “Article 5” protection now on the negotiating table even minus Ukraine being a NATO nation, this war could unfortunately continue on no matter Putin's smiling face at the Alaska summit with President Trump. Why so...because when one deals with Vladimir Putin anything is possible, most especially when Russia's leader needs to counter last Monday's theatrically staged and ever so successful optics of Europe's leaders descending on Washington to show their united support for Ukraine's President Zelenskyy...worldwide televised egg on Putin's face for sure.

So while Putin continues to claim numerous military victories of sorts while standing strong in his demands for absorbing what are large parts of Ukraine into Russia, Russia's economy is still struggling as her defense budget has now reached $142+B per year, which is more than double the monies spent on defense before Putin started the war with Ukraine. And this war does affect the now war weary Russian people themselves for monies used to fund Putin's war machine were taken away from the Russian people and their needs. And know Russia's rank and file military has also grown weary of war...a war that pits brother against brother, as Russians and Ukrainians basically do share the same genetic roots.

A somewhat modern day version of our own Civil War if you will, yet a war vastly different in both mode of operation and outcome for Ukraine's President Vlodymir Zelenskyy, the once deemed underdog by all accounts, has stood his ground against not only the world's number two superpower, but against Vladimir Putin himself, with the added bonus being Zelenskyy's having united the nations of Europe together in his and Ukraine's just cause. Quite an achievement I'd say as this new camaraderie...this new alliance of sorts...has not been seen since the days of WWII.

So as to the offensive player that is Putin's Russia v. the defensive player that is Ukraine, Zelenskyy and his cause are also being supported and cheered on in the “court of public opinion,” while at the same time the still in effect Western sanctions have had a cumulative effect on what is now Russia’s full time war economy, And know that many more sanctions are to come, as per both President Trump and European leaders, if Vladimir Putin continues on in what he hopes to be his “legacy” defining moment.

And if that be the case, Putin's legacy could well be a legacy of failure if he thinks Russia could take on NATO, let alone the U.S. under President Trump. Remember, NATO has had new life and relevancy breathed into it courtesy of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, while at the same time Ukraine's forces, as ragtag as they are, have been able to fend off defeat that according to Putin should have taken Russia but a mere two weeks to achieve. And whether Putin's failure to accomplish that objective has been due to the funding and equipment NATO and the U.S. has given to Ukraine or not, the fact remains that Ukraine and her people are still standing strong...as is Zelenskyy himself...while Putin tries to publicly “save face” by making nice to President Trump with fingers probably crossed behind his back.

Now here is where it gets interesting for after the “smile for the camera” show Putin put on at the Alaska Summit, the fact remains that Vladimir Putin still wants to “grab” roughly 30% of Ukraine's lands to be officially recognized as part of “Mother Russia” whether the now said lands are currently occupied by Russian troops or not.

And Russia's quest for Ukrainian land started when in 1994, Bill Clinton played a key role in negotiating the terms of the “Budapest Memorandum”...the agreement which forced Ukraine to give up its nukes in exchange for security assurances...and culminated in 2014 when Obama foolishly gave Crimea to Putin, as he had little access to its desperately needed 1.5 billion barrels of oil reserves save for a thin bit of peninsula access that does not really allow for needed heavy transport.

However, in Putin's now demanding not only the oil fields but the Dzhankoy and the Kerch Peninsulas...as well as the Dunbas region which he claims is needed for Russian “security purposes” ...something Zelensky is rightfully fighting against...know that Ukraine itself has lost access to 80% of oil and gas deposits in the Black Sea, and a significant part of the Crimea port infrastructure due to Obama's allowing the Russian annexation of Crimea.

And that which I just stated is what I believe Putin's war with Ukraine is really all about...as in permanent oil access. plus the eventual rebuilding of the old Soviet Union.

But being as arrogant as he is, Vladimir Putin truly believes that not only will he eventually be victorious in this his ultimate legacy endeavor, as there remains the possibility that Putin has all along been cloaking himself in talking of wanting peace while the KGB trained agent within him tries to play both Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy in the same way that Hitler did Neville Chamberlain almost 100 years ago.

And why do I say this...because last Wednesday, Putin warned that Russia should hold “veto power” over any security actions to assist Ukraine after a peace deal is reached, rendering planned Western security guarantees for Kyiv moot at this point. A setback in peace talks already involving the logistics of the “land grabs” currently on the negotiating table for if Putin were to acquire “veto power” regarding Ukraine's security it equates to more than just “appeasement” as it opens the door for Putin's war to actually expand.

Remember, Chamberlain truly believed that by conceding to Hitler's first few “land grabs”...that his acts of “appeasement”...would help to prevent a full blown European war from happening, but the fact is that while Chamberlain was busy “making nice” to Hitler, Hitler continued to strengthen, bolster, and add to Germany's military capabilities. Now substitute the names Trump and Putin here for not only does Trump know Putin well enough to not take anything Putin says at face value, but Zelenskyy knows that no concessions of any kind, especially involving Ukraine's security, will be reached without his approval. And so the continued to be spoken words that “a lot of progress has been made” towards peace is anything but reality, that is until peace itself sees pen being put to paper while arms are being laid down.

But even with that said, I'm sure President Trump has accounted for the old adage, “give them an inch and they'll take a mile,” as he's not an easily fooled man. Remember, as previously stated, I still believe Putin's ultimate goal, no matter his public words to the contrary...is not to ceremonially rebuild “Mother Russia” to her former glory, but to rebuild...and I cannot state this enough...what was the old Soviet Union by starting with Ukraine and then ultimately reabsorbing all the former Soviet satellites now independent nations...some even NATO member nations...back into the Russian fold.

Simply, Putin's current quest to take over 30% of Ukraine is not only “land grabbing” on steroids, but is his not so secret attempt to lay the very foundation for what could eventually turn into World War III if he does not get his way. A legacy in waiting, cleverly crafted by a madman along the same lines as Hitler's legacy of “land grabs” is remembered today.

So even with all of Vladimir Putin's talks of wanting peace...even with what might be an agreed upon implementation of what I'm sure in the end will turn into but a temporary peace...one must remember that it's not in Putin's make up, or in what he deems to be in his or Russia's best interests, to accept what would be a peace deal garnered by Russia's having, in one form or another...veiled or not...to admit to defeat. And besides, I see what's being offered by Putin in exchange for peace as being but a diversion to help keep the world's prying eyes off him and Russia...thus giving Putin the time needed to regroup, rearm, and only then logistically move forward against Ukraine yet again.

So in Putin's appearing to take a page from Hitler's “land grab” playbook...as in never give up until either ones wanted goal is achieved or until one is stone-cold dead... it's obvious that Volodymir Zelenskky will not be playing into Putin's threats of give up the land he wants or else, as he has laid down his own unwavering “red line” being that, “The positions are clear. A real peace must be achieved, one that will be lasting, not just another pause between Russian invasions.”

And with those words of President Zelenskyy basically echoing President Trump's words posted on 'Truth Social' that, “It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up.” we find these two men on the same page...two men well aware of famed Russian “treachery” once again coming into play as peace negotiations remain on going...at least as I write this.

But one thing I do know for certain is that neither Europe's leaders nor even President Trump have a right to give away or to force President Zelenskyy to give away any of Ukraine's land without it being agreed to by Zelenskyy himself and the Ukrainian people. And this is especially true when all concerned know, as fact, that not only does Putin want Ukraine for its oil, but even more so that he wants Ukraine as a base from which to first reabsorb its former satellites back into the fold, and then expand Russian style communism outward into eastern Europe from there.

It seems to me that Volodymir Zelenskyy knows well all that I just stated along with something many others involved do not, and that is that while peace might stop the killing for a given period of time, peace itself does not always solve the problems that started said killings in the first place. Simply, unless all underlying problems between the two nations are resolved at the core level, any peace that might now be reached will be lost sooner rather than later.

Remember the old saying, “The devil wears black”...well the new saying in today's ever hostile and volatile world, where talks of Ukraine/Russian peace still appear to be but words ongoing minus much needed tangible actions taken, instead should be, “Beware of the little Russian man draped in Communist red.” No need to say anything more...case closed. 

Copyright © 2025 Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / All rights reserved.  

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For more political commentary please visit my RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS partner Craig Andresen's blog The National Patriot to read his latest article, The Fling Heard Around the World.

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