Volodymyr Zelenskyy, humiliated by Trump and Vance in the Oval Office, bounced back to jump start cease fire negotiations. As he predicted, Putin wasn't really interested in peace. (Getty image) .

INTEL STICKS & CARROTS: It was painfully clear this week, if it wasn’t already, that the Trump administration is using intelligence the same way it is using tariffs, university grants, and weapons assistance: as a cruel lever to get its way.

The intelligence freeze the administration placed on Ukraine last week was lifted Tuesday, but only after the beleaguered country bent the knee to Trump. Given an offer they couldn’t refuse, Ukrainian officials agreed to a 30-day ceasefire in a meeting with National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. “The pause in military aid and intelligence to Ukraine was unnecessary and unjust, but I am relieved that it was brief,” Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., ranking member on the House Intelligence Committee, said on X.

But there’s a price to be paid in blood and soil.

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