And it looks very much (at least to me) as if this is the only thing they've said about Russia because they want to be able to reframe the relationship as a partnership but it's not yet possible because they haven't finalised their deal with the Kremlin and because of domestic pushback.

Strategic stability between the two states with the largest number of nuclear weapons is a good aspiration because strategic instability is a threat to everyone. But it's useless or dangerous if it isn't grounded in a realistic assessment of the threat from Russia.

It's not just the lack of mentions of Russia that's striking, it's the fact Russia isn't ever mentioned as an adversary or threat. This is the first US National Security Strategy not to identify Russia as a threat since 2010, at the height of Obama's Reset policy.

Now the new plan is a nonstarter for Russia. This whole episode was just an embarrassing and useless fire-drill.

While Trump couldn’t care less about Ukraine, he’s foolish to believe he could force an ultimatum and more foolish to not realize he’s being endlessly played by Putin.

It took a little longer than expected, but the moment of truth for Europe really is here.

Ever since, russia has been taking brutal revenge on Kherson, shelling it non-stop, hunting civilians in safaris, including infants, destroying critical infrastructure.

Kherson doesn't need the world to admire its invincibility.

Kherson needs actions aimed at defeating the aggressor now.