Peace for Both Sides Now, Without Illusions

I've looked at life from both sides now

From win and lose and still somehow

It's life's illusions I recall

I really don't know life at all

… Judy Collins

That’s how most of the world looks at the Russia-Ukraine war. It is an illusion that either side is winning. Instead, the body count on both sides indicate they are both losing.

It is like the first Rocky movie, where Apollo and Rocky are standing in the center of the ring, both exhausted, pummeling the crap out of each other, standing toe-to-toe, hitting each other one punch at a time, each hoping the other will fall first.

But in the end, they both ended up in the hospital in critical condition, both near death from the wounds they suffered. Needlessly. And while Apollo won the split decision, he was never the same, with the same strength he had before; and Rocky nearly lost his eyesight, fighting chumps just to stay in the game.

While most of the EU wants to continue to support Ukraine, two countries have decided enough is enough. Both Giorgia Meloni of Italy and Andrzej Duda of Poland agree with President Trump that a ceasefire must be implemented now.

Donald Trump has cut off any additional aid and military intelligence to Ukraine and threatened Banking and other sanctions and tariffs on Russia today. Prime Minister Meloni will no longer send fighter jets to Ukraine, and President Duda refuses to buy Russian goods and oil.

Saudi Arabia is willing to host negotiations to end the conflict. The US is sending envoys there this coming week to begin, while Trump is still trying to broker the deal, as he promised last year during his campaign and continued to espouse yesterday.

“Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely ‘pounding’ Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I am strongly considering large scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs on Russia until a Cease Fire and FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON PEACE IS REACHED,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late. Thank you!!!”

It is in the interest of both sides now to drop your guns, get onto the planes and head to the negotiating table. Before any more people die. Needlessly.

Then, you can live your lives in peace without any illusions at all.