'In the war in Ukraine, territory is important, yes, but not as much as it seems'
Vladimir Putin had already ordered the killing or mutilation of hundreds of thousands of Russians and Ukrainians. The president of the Russian Federation will go down in history as the architect of a "war of choice." Behind the aggression he has carried out for more than three years, the same question – rarely asked and never truly answered – continues to surface throughout the battles in the Donbas: Why this slaughter? This has been a key question for understanding just how difficult it would be to even sketch out the possibility of negotiations.
Back at the White House, Donald Trump, more swaggering than ever, believed that "24 hours" would be enough for him to resolve the problem. For him, it was a real estate issue, and as the self-proclaimed "king of the deal," he knew about such things. He had proven himself in property development in New York and New Jersey. Basic rule: land dictates everything, just like in golf. So it was time for a de jure recognition Russia's annexation of Crimea, because that's how it's been since 2014, he said, and everyone, more or less, seemed to accept it. Then, a de facto recognition of the Russian army's control over part of Ukraine's eastern border, the Donbas, because Kyiv's forces lack the means to retake it. In exchange for this "real estate" arrangement, Ukrainians would be guaranteed the means to defend themselves against another Russian offensive, but without joining NATO.
The result was disappointment. Ukrainians did not like the proposal, but perhaps more interestingly, neither did the Russians. The reason being that in this conflict between both parties, the issue of territory is important, yes, but not as much as it seems. The primary objective of the 10 Russian armored divisions that crossed the border on February 24, 2022, was not the Donbas, but Kyiv. Their mission was to overthrow the democratically elected president, Volodymyr Zelensky, and install a government in the Ukrainian capital that would answer to the Kremlin.
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The procession, with more than 6,000 soldiers and 128 Army tanks, was one Trump tried to make happen in his first term after seeing such an event in Paris in 2017, but the plans never came together until this year, when the parade was added to an event recognising the Army's 250th anniversary. Hours before the parade started, demonstrators turned out in streets and parks around the nation to sound off against the Republican president. They criticized Trump for using the military to respond to people protesting his deportation efforts and for the muscular military show in the US capital. In Washington, anti-war protesters unfurled signs that said 'Homes not drones' not far from a display of armoured vehicles, helicopters and military-grade equipment on the National Mall set up to commemorate the Army's birthday. Vendors outside the festival sold gear marking the military milestone. Others hawked Trump-themed merchandise. Doug Haynes, a Navy veteran who voted for Trump, attended the daylong festival to celebrate the Army's 250th birthday, but said that the parade 'was a little over the top.' Pointing at a nearby tank, Haynes said that having them roll down the street is a 'very bold statement to the world, perhaps.' 'No Kings' rallies unfolded in hundreds of cities, designed to counter what organisers said were Trump's plans to feed his ego on his 79th birthday and flag day. Organisers said they picked the name to support democracy and speak out against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration. The parade was added just a few weeks ago to the planned celebration of the Army's birthday and has drawn criticism for its price tag of up to $45 million and the possibility that the lumbering tanks could tear up city streets. The Army has taken a variety of steps to protect the streets, including laying metal plates along the route. The daylong display of America's Army comes as Trump has shown his willingness to use the nation's military might in ways other US presidents have typically avoided. In the last week, he has activated the California National Guard without the governor's permission and dispatched the US Marines to provide security during Los Angeles protests related to immigration raids, prompting a state lawsuit to stop the deployments. A previously calm demonstration in downtown LA quickly turned chaotic as police on horseback charged at the crowd, striking some with wood rods and batons as they cleared the street in front of the federal building. Officers then fired tear gas and crowd control projectiles at the large group, sending demonstrators, hot dog vendors and passing pedestrians fleeing through the street. Some have since regrouped, ignoring an LAPD dispersal order. 'Less lethal has been approved. Less lethal may cause discomfort and pain. It is advised that all persons leave the area,' police said in a post on X. 'It was a total 100% over-reaction. We weren't doing anything but standing around chanting peaceful protest,' said Samantha Edgerton, a 37-year-old bartender. Marines appeared for the first time at a demonstration since they were deployed to city on Friday with the stated mission of defending federal property. Dozens of Marines stood shoulder to shoulder in full combat gear, hands on their rifles, beside other law enforcement, including Department of Homeland Security officers at the National Guard. Directly in front of them, hundreds of protesters jeered in English and Spanish, telling the federal troops to go home.
