One wonders why Zelensky and co continue to talk up the chances for peace when they must know there are next-to-none in the immediate term, and the very fact of believing in the 'peace plan' is helping Russia achieve its goal of dividing the West on their approach

Ukraine is of course looking for reasons to be optimistic about US support; those determined to see the glass as half full suggest that the fact that the Americans seem to be seriously talking about proper security guarantees means the door to that eventuality has been cracked open... 3/

Trump says he's optimistic but I cannot see any reason to hope that this phase of talks will lead to a deal: Putin will almost certainly say no, unless it's to bank certain gains before resuming hostilities, but most analysts in Ukraine see that as unlikely. 2/

Is there a chance you could re-record the air raid alert message for Ukraine with just, like, something equally cool but different, because we’ve by now heard you saying “may the force be with you” too many times. Thanks in advance!

First they came for the Paracetamol….