What does Russia want?

"In the broader scope of the yearslong public back and forth between officials in the U.S., Ukraine and Russia, some analysts say Putin is likely to treat the latest warning by Trump as little more than a ploy by the new president to shore up his base and demonstrate the tough stance he has promised in regard to U.S. adversaries.

"Putin sees these statements as part of a political game. He doesn't take them seriously," said Tatiana Stanovaya, a Paris-based political scientist who maintains contacts with people close to the Kremlin. "He's ready for any scenario and has no illusions that a deal will come quick."

Stanovaya argues that the strain on Russia's economy, while a concern for Putin, will have little effect on his calculus vis-a-vis Ukraine.

For the Russian president, who has been in power for 25 years, the conflict is a historic opportunity to unify the two Orthodox Christian countries and arrest what he has long denounced as a creeping Western expansion into Russia's backyard.

"Of course Putin wants to stop the conflict, but he wants it exclusively on Russian terms," Stanovaya said. "The conflict in Ukraine is a way to bring the West to the negotiating table about a Yalta 2.0."” [1]  

1. World News: Russia Spurns Trump's Push on Conflict Talks --- Moscow believes it has the resources and manpower to keep up the fight. Luxmoore, Matthew; Grove, Thomas.  Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y.. 24 Jan 2025: A6.

Trumpas perspėja verslo elitą: gaminkite Jungtinėse Amerikos Valstijose arba mokėsite muito tarifus

 „DAVOSAS, Šveicarija – Prezidentas Trumpas ir jo sąjungininkai pasinaudojo Pasaulio ekonomikos forumu, kad pasaulinį elitą perspėtų: jis ketina vykdyti jo kampanijos „Amerika pirmiausia“ pažadus, prireikus, atstumdamas sąjungininkus šiame procese.

 

 „Mano žinutė kiekvienam pasaulio verslui yra labai paprasta: ateikite, kurkite jūsų produktą Amerikoje, ir mes iš jūsų imsime vieną iš mažiausių mokesčių, negu bet kuri pasaulio šalis“, – ketvirtadienį vaizdo kreipimesi iš Vašingtono sakė Trumpas. "Bet jei gaminate ne Amerikoje, o tai yra jūsų prerogatyva, tada, labai paprastai, turėsite sumokėti tarifą."

 

 Išreikšdamas nusivylimą dėl tarifų, kuriuos Europos Sąjunga taiko JAV žemės ūkio produktams ir automobiliams, Trumpas pareiškė, kad blokas su JAV elgiasi nesąžiningai. „Jie nustato tarifus dalykams, kuriuos norime daryti“.

 

 Jo pastabos buvo protekcionistinis šūvis per lanką JAV sąjungininkams ir įmonėms, kurios tikėjosi, kad būnant draugiškomis su JAV, jų prekėms bus taikomos mažesnės nuobaudos."

 

Nenorite mokėti didelius Lietuvos mokesčius už auksinius šaukštus ir beverčius tankus? Yra išeitis. Važiuokite su jūsų verslais į Ameriką.

 

1. Trump Warns Business Elite: Produce in U.S. or Face Tariffs. Ward, Alexander.  Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y.. 24 Jan 2025: A1.

Trump Warns Business Elite: Produce in U.S. or Face Tariffs

"DAVOS, Switzerland -- President Trump and his allies used the World Economic Forum to offer the global elite a warning: He intends to follow through on his "America First" campaign promises, spurning allies in the process if necessary.

"My message to every business in the world is very simple: Come make your product in America and we will give you among the lowest taxes of any nation on Earth," Trump said in a video address from Washington on Thursday. "But if you don't make your product in America, which is your prerogative, then, very simply, you will have to pay a tariff."

Expressing frustration at tariffs the European Union places on U.S. farm products and cars, Trump said the bloc treats the U.S. unfairly. "They put tariffs on things that we want to do."

His remarks offered a protectionist shot across the bow to U.S. allies and companies that hoped being friendly with the U.S. would mean fewer penalties on their goods." [1]

1. Trump Warns Business Elite: Produce in U.S. or Face Tariffs. Ward, Alexander.  Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y.. 24 Jan 2025: A1.