DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE: You don’t have to love Russia to dislike Ukraine, you don’t have to love Trump to agree with his idea of peace

If you only listen to propaganda and narrative-driven sound bites you will always repeat that loop. I’m sure not everyone will come to the same conclusions every time – no matter what loop they frequent.

After all, people perceive the world differently based on many factors. But research does allow a person to know WHY they made their conclusion, not merely believing what mainstream media is parroting.

Since this is another hill I do not plan to die on (i.e. Zelensky vs. Trump), I’m going to share my findings from both sides of the aisle relating to love and war. One thing is for sure – the worldwide military industrial complex war agenda is still alive and well after last week’s “meeting.”

Remember, “war” makes “warmongers” lots of money.

Next, research Ukraine’s people and others speaking loudly, it’s out there if you want to know the truth.

In my research, I found the only person who mentioned “peace” was Trump.

I mean come on, the meeting with Trump, JD Vance and Mr. Z should have been behind closed doors.

I heard a report that Zelensky was supposed to accept the deal and that was the plan before the cameras came on that day. From the look on the face of Ukraine’s Ambassador to the US, I think Mr. Z forgot to read the script.

Even though he had met with red and blue senators apparently before his Trump stop (he was late), most at the White House meeting were under the impression the peace deal involving the mineral rights was real.

Watch the video of the White House meeting with Trump, Vance and Zelensky if you want to understand the full scope of what happened, which will then allow you to make educated comments.

Commentators on both sides of the aisle short-cut the final storyline of the Trump/Zelensky saga as the USA saying “America will not be your big brother anymore to boast about to Russia. We will help you with this war if we can find peace.

“We expect in return mineral/oil rights so Americans are getting something out of the deal.” 

Body language, posturing, words, and even a news reporter asking Zelensky if he owned a suit and knew how to dress, and well, the peace deal was a fail and Z was asked to leave.

Random comments from social media regarding this mess included:

“The only way Zelensky stays in power is this war.” 

“Liberals would rather see people die than see Trump succeed in ending this war.” 

“Trumpets how does it feel that the whole world loves and respects Pres. Zelensky vs. the whole world hates your dictator?” 

“The world is a stage scripted by the elites.” 

“Putin started this war; he does not want peace – he wants land.” 

“Why does he want land? Look into NATO expanding and how it all could have been avoided by NATO.” 

After the White House fail, Z managed to sign a 100-year deal with the UK, who pledged billions until 2031. Guess they aren’t planning on peace negotiations. 

Does anyone remember when this Ukraine mess started? 

Let’s begin in 2014 – after much hustle from previous years (do your research) the US participated in a coup that overthrew the Ukrainian government, installed a new one, and enter the Minsk Agreement backed by the UN. 

Ukraine decided they didn’t like that agreement, and here we are with Russia having a problem with NATO encroaching and the US having played heavy drama queen in the ordeal.

Let’s remember it was about 2022 when the Ukraine good/Russia bad narrative was kicked over to mainstream media to spin to the sheep in the audience.

Ukraine has never been a poster child for clean living. It was rough long before mainstream made it a “popular conflict.” 

Once when I was on the border of Romania/Ukraine I was told very matter-of-factly by my handler not to take to photos toward to Ukrainian border or I might be shot.

Ukraine has been called one of the most corrupt countries, and most people have been aware of that for years. Men are now being kidnapped off the street and forced to go to war with no recruitment, and apparently soldiers are saying they don’t want to fight anymore.

I would like to remind all those yelling democracy in the US – that word shows up in the Constitution and Declaration of Independence zero times.

Even so, in our “little Republic so many Americans love to hate” while siding with an actor turned President, and an industrial military complex –just be glad your voice is heard at all since some are not so lucky. 

Just ask Ukrainian MP Oleksandr Dubinsky who recently called for an emergency session of Ukraine’s Parliament to initiate impeachment processing against Zelensky after his White House fail.

Dubinsky has been in jail 15 months on reportedly fabricated charges, trying to expose the Biden family. Dubinsky said he was labeled a Russian agent in 2019. He said there are hundreds in jail in Ukraine due to political beliefs and opposing Z’s administration. 

Z, it seems encourages torture, dismantled courts, weaponized law enforcement and eliminated fundamental democratic processes; no elections, no independent media and no right to fair and legal defense.

Dubinsky said there are illegal prisons, and the UN has documented at least one prison in Kiev where American journalist Gonzalo Lira was unlawfully detained and died in 2023 following beatings and more while imprisoned.

Indeed, Zelensky has come far from his red romper dancing days (have you seen that video). I had no idea he was a comedian and actor (apparently a good one) who lived in Moscow until his latest role. I also didn’t know he had perhaps given a smile and a wink to everyone’s favorite villain Putin for a favor during one of his performances.

Does anyone remember while in his Shakespeare days Zelensky played a teacher in a TV series who becomes president after a video of him denouncing corruption goes viral.

In his inaugural speech, Zelensky said his main goal for presidency was to bring peace to eastern Ukraine, where government troops had been fighting Russia-backed separatists for five years.

For those Americans standing with Ukraine, make sure you aren’t just standing against Trump. Bonehead move. And in that same stance remember you are standing for taxpayer’s money used to kill people (NOT PEACE) and not to be used in ways Americans can benefit.

Remember, it’s okay not to support Russia or Ukraine and hope that peace comes soon.

Mr. Z insisted on the cameras at the White House meeting; fail. Sure, as an actor that’s what he knows. His mistake – Trump is fine with cameras too, and Zelensky overplayed himself thinking he could negotiate with the king of negotiators.

Next thing you know the Trump and Mr. Z exchange in the oval office will have the latter vying for an Oscar or Nobel Peace Prize.

Peace is the only answer in the Russia/Ukraine conflict, and it will be negotiated by Trump, somehow. Even British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was clear when he rejected claims the US is an “unreliable ally.”

Correction, I believe the US is a “tired ally” realizing the money made by those cashing in on war is no longer worth the lives lost.

Rita Cook is a freelance writer for The Ellis County Press. She can be reached at rcook13@earthlink.net.