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Welcome to The Logoff: In the present day we’re specializing in a brand new growth in Ukraine that provides us extra perception into Donald Trump’s method to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
What’s the newest? Putin and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy are every supporting a 30-day pause in assaults on “power and infrastructure,” resembling energy vegetation and refineries. The deliberate pause follows a prolonged telephone name between Trump and Putin earlier at present.
Putin did not conform to a full ceasefire, which Trump has proposed and which Ukraine had assented to earlier. Russia put out a post-call assertion suggesting that it will solely agree if overseas nations lower off army and intelligence assist to Ukraine — a requirement Trump has not agreed to.
What hasn’t modified? Preventing alongside the entrance traces, and presumably additionally drone and missile assaults on Ukrainian cities, will proceed. The US will even proceed offering weapons and intelligence to Ukraine, after briefly suspending each earlier this month.
What’s the massive image for Ukraine? The optimistic take on what occurred at present is that the 2 sides are speaking — by way of the US — and that this may very well be the idea for a broader ceasefire. Alternatively, current statements from Russian officers counsel they’re nonetheless pushing for a demilitarized and subservient Ukraine. And Putin could also be doing simply sufficient to maintain Trump pleased whereas persevering with to press his benefit on the battlefield.
What did we study Trump? Trump didn’t completely promote Ukraine out, which appeared like an actual chance just some weeks in the past. Alternatively, he additionally doesn’t appear to place stress on Russia to conform to an actual ceasefire, as he did with Ukraine. Trump’s personal assertion concerning the name makes it appear to be he was glad with the outcome, regardless of Putin’s unwillingness to again down.
And with that, it’s time to log out…
A part of the lure of social media is the promise of exterior validation, and so I actually appreciated this piece from my Vox colleague Allie Volpe. It explains why we’re hard-wired to hunt validation — and the way we are able to keep away from being trapped by that want. I significantly cherished this line: “What is way extra nourishing than the sugar excessive of validation is an inner technique of recognizing your individual worthiness.”
It’s simpler stated than performed, however, for me at the least, it’s a very good aspiration. Thanks a lot for studying, and we’ll see you again right here tomorrow.