And so she did:
wandering up and down,
and trying turn after turn,
but always coming back
to the house,
do what she would.
Indeed, once,
when she turned a corner
rather more quickly
than usual,
she ran against it
before she could stop herself.
‘It’s no use talking about it,’
Alice said, looking up
at the house and pretending
it was arguing with her.
Walking around.
The wall encircling.
St Michael’s monastery.
In Kyiv.
Photos of the fallen.
Stare out at you.
– some were taken.
Before the war.
Featuring men and women.
Posing with.
Family members.
And pets.
As the US President talks.
Of imposing.
New tariffs on ‘Mordor’.
The war continues.
– with these images.
A reminder of.
The soldiers who will.
Never come home.
‘if I could get to
the top of that hill:
and here’s a path
that leads straight to it
– at least, no,
it doesn’t do that –’
‘but I suppose
it will at last.
The US president has said.
That he is disappointed.
But not done.
With ‘the One’.
The US president was.
Pressed on whether.
He trusts ‘the One’.
He trusts ‘the One’.
And replied:
“I trust almost nobody.”
And replied:
“I trust almost nobody.”
He was speaking hours.
After he announced plans.
To send weapons.
To Ukraine.
And warned of severe tariffs.
On ‘Mordor’.
If there was no ceasefire deal.
In 50 days.
But how curiously
it twists!
It’s more like a corkscrew
than a path!
Well, this turn
goes to the hill,
I suppose
– no, it doesn’t!
In an interview.
From the Oval Office.
The president also.
Endorsed Nato.
Having once described it.
As obsolete, and affirmed.
His support for the organisation’s.
Common defence principle.
The US President said.
That he had thought.
A deal to end the war.
In Ukraine.
Was on the cards.
With ‘Mordor’.
Four different times.
Four different times.
‘In winter, when the fields are white,
I sing this song for your delight –
When asked if.
He was done with ‘the One’.
The president replied:
“I’m disappointed in him.”
“But I’m not.
Done with him.
But I’m disappointed in him.”
Pressed on how.
He would get ‘the One’.
To “stop the bloodshed”.
The US president said:
“We’re working at it.”
“We’ll have a great conversation.
I’ll say: ‘That’s good.
I’ll think we’re close.
To getting it done.’”
“And then he’ll knock down.
A building in Kyiv.”
“And then he’ll knock down.
A building in Kyiv.”
‘In spring, when woods are getting green,
I’ll try and tell you what I mean.’
‘Mordor’ has intensified.
Its drone and missile attacks.
On ‘elves’ cities.
In recent weeks.
On ‘elves’ cities.
In recent weeks.
Causing record.
Civilian casualties.
‘The One’ has insisted.
He also wants peace.
But has said.
What he calls.
The “root causes” of the war.
Must be resolved first.
He argues that.
The war is the result.
Of external threats.
To ‘Mordor’’s security.
From Kyiv, Nato.
And the “collective West”.
‘In summer, when the days are long,
Perhaps you’ll understand the song:
The conversation moved on.
To Nato, which.
The US President has previously.
Criticised as “obsolete”.
He said he did not.
Think that was still.
The case as Nato.
“Is now becoming.”
“Is now becoming.
The opposite of that”.
Because the alliance was.
“Paying their own bills”.
The US President said.
It was “amazing” that.
Nato leaders had agreed to.
Ramp up defence spending.
To 5% of.
Their economic output.
“Nobody thought.
That was possible.”
In autumn, when the leaves are brown,
Take pen and ink, and write it down.
He said he still believed.
In collective defence.
Because it meant smaller countries.
Could defend themselves.
Against larger ones.
Against larger ones.
He said he still believed.
In collective defence.
He said that the leaders.
Of countries including.
Germany, France.
And Spain.
Had come to respect him.
And his decision making.
Partly because world leaders.
Believed that.
There was a “lot of talent”.
There was a “lot of talent”.
In being elected.
To the presidency twice.
When asked whether.
World leaders were.
At times.
“Obvious in their flattery”.
The US President replied.
That he felt.
They were “just trying.
To be nice”.
‘if I could get to
the top of that hill:
and here’s a path
that leads straight to it
– at least, no,
it doesn’t do that –’
‘but I suppose
it will at last.
‘Elves’ are tired.
Run down by.
The emotional toll.
Of the invasion.
And the physical toll.
Of sleepless nights.
Due to air raid sirens.
Explosions and.
Due to air raid sirens.
Explosions and.
The screeching sounds.
Of attack drones.
“It was a long night.”
Is a common remark.
You will hear.
In Kyiv.
So, the US President’s.
Decision to give.
‘Mordor’ 50 days.
To agree to a ceasefire.
Or face “very severe tariffs.
… at about 100%”.
Has not gone down well.
Has not gone down well.
But how curiously
it twists!
It’s more like a corkscrew
than a path!
Well, this turn
goes to the hill,
I suppose
– no, it doesn’t!
For the first time.
Since returning.
To the White House.
The US President has pledged.
To make new weapons.
Available to Ukraine.
Under a new deal.
The US will sell weapons.
To Nato members.
Who will then supply them.
To Kyiv as it battles.
‘Orcs’ invasion.
‘I sent a message to the fish:
I told them “This is what I wish.”
The president didn’t give.
Too many specifics about.
What he said was.
What he said was.
“Billions of dollars’ worth.
Of military equipment”.
But when asked if.
The deal included.
Patriot air defence batteries.
And interceptor missiles.
He replied.
“It’s everything”.
One European country.
Has 17 Patriot systems.
And “a big portion” would.
Soon be on the way.
And “a big portion” would.
Soon be on the way.
To Ukraine.
The US President said.
For Ukraine.
A huge country.
That currently operates.
Handful of batteries.
– perhaps as few as eight –
This is a major step forward.
Giving Kyiv a chance.
To expand protection.
Giving Kyiv a chance.
To expand protection.
Against ‘orcs’ ballistic.
And cruise missiles.
The little fishes of the sea,
They sent an answer back to me.
Sitting beside the president.
The Nato Secretary General.
Hinted at a bigger package.
“It’s broader than Patriots.”
“It will mean that.
Ukraine can get its hands on.
Really massive numbers of.
Military equipment.
Both for air defence.
But also missiles, ammunition…”
This is a significant moment.
This is a significant moment.
The little fishes’ answer was
“We cannot do it, Sir, because –”’
Less than two weeks ago.
There was horror.
In Kyiv.
At news that.
The Pentagon had suspended.
Military shipments.
To Ukraine.
Including Patriots.
The decision-making surrounding.
That announcement.
Remains unclear.
But on Monday.
The US President once again.
Tried to make light of it.
Saying it had been made.
In the knowledge.
That this deal would be struck.
“We were pretty sure.
This was going to happen.
So we did a little bit of a pause.”
‘I sent to them again to say
“It will be better to obey.”
Now, thanks to.
Some tortuous negotiations.
Many of them involving.
The Nato Secretary General.
The weapons can continue.
To flow without Washington.
Picking up the tab.
“We’re in for a lot of money.”
“We’re in for a lot of money.”
The president said.
“And we just don’t want.
To do it any more.”
The deal is a personal triumph.
For the Nato Secretary General.
Who has flattered and.
Encouraged the president.
In part by helping to secure.
A member-wide Nato commitment.
To spend 5%.
Of GDP on defence.
‘I’m not going in
again yet.
I know I should have to get
through the Looking-glass again
through the Looking-glass again
– back into the old room –
and there’d be an end.
of all my adventures!’
As they sat side by side.
In the Oval Office.
The Nato Secretary General continued.
To flatter the US President.
Calling the latest deal.
“Really big” and saying it was.
“Totally logical” that European members.
Of Nato pay for it.
A number of countries, he said.
Were lining up to participate.
Including the UK, Germany.
Finland, Sweden.
Norway and the Netherlands.
“And this is only.
The first wave.
There will be more.”
The fishes answered with a grin,
“Why, what a temper you are in!”
In a separate and.
Rather characteristic development.
The US President threatened.
‘Mordor’ with a new deadline:
If ‘the One’ doesn’t agree.
To a ceasefire deal.
In the next 50 days.
In the next 50 days.
‘Mordor’ and.
Its trading partners.
Will be hit with.
100% secondary tariffs.
I told them once, I told them twice:
They would not listen to advice.
It’s a novel approach.
Which Kyiv and.
Members of the US congress.
Have been urging for some time:
Pressure ‘Mordor’ by.
Targeting countries that.
Continue to buy.
‘Orcs’ oil and gas.
Like China and India.
The US President’s move.
Comes as the US Senate.
Continues to work.
On a bill that would impose.
Much stiffer sanctions.
The president said.
The Senate bill.
Which envisages.
500% secondary tariffs.
Could be “very good”.
But added that it was.
“Sort of meaningless.
After a while because.
At a certain point.
It doesn’t matter”.
I took a kettle large and new,
Fit for the deed I had to do.
As always.
The precise details of.
The president’s threat.
Remain somewhat vague.
But whatever happens.
In the coming weeks and months.
Monday felt like something of.
A turning point.
A US president finally.
Moving away from.
His perplexing faith.
In ‘the One’.
While still giving.
‘The One’ time to come.
‘The One’ time to come.
To the negotiating table.
My heart went hop, my heart went thump;
I filled the kettle at the pump.
One of ‘elves’.
Most prominent politicians.
The Kyiv Mayor.
Asked “why such a delay?”.
‘Orcs’ attacks had become.
“More intense”, he said.
And more people could be.
Killed in that 50-day period.
So, resolutely turning
her back upon the house,
she set out once more
down the path,
determined to keep straight on
till she got to the hill.
For a few minutes
all went on well,
An ‘elf’ MP says.
The US President’s.
Announcement was “bittersweet”.
As it gave ‘the One’.
Another 50 days to continue.
His deadly bombardment.
And maintain his offensive.
On the front line.
“It is very hard.
And very personal.
For us because.
We don’t know.”
“We don’t know.
If some of us.
Will survive for.
These 50 days.”
and she was just saying,
‘I really shall do it this time –’
when the path gave
a sudden twist
and shook itself,
and the next moment
she found herself actually
walking in at the door.
More than 230 civilians.
Were killed in Ukraine.
Last month and.
Many more wounded.
The biggest number.
For three years.
As ‘orcs’ unleashed record numbers.
Of drone and missile attacks.
Among the weapons.
Being sent to Ukraine are.
Patriot air defence batteries to.
Help protect cities from attack.
“There hasn’t been.
A single fact.
That would prove ‘Mordor’.
Wants to stop the war.”
“Ukraine is ready for.
An unconditional ceasefire.
We have done everything.
By the book,” the MP added.
Then some one came to me and said,
“The little fishes are in bed.”
In the Oval Office.
On Monday.
The US President was.
Talking tough.
Announcing new US arms.
Shipments to Ukraine.
Paid for by European governments.
And threatening.
And threatening.
New tariffs which.
If imposed.
Would hit ‘Mordor’’s war chest.
But, back in Moscow.
How did the stock?
Exchange react?
It rose 2.7%.
I said to him, I said it plain,
“Then you must wake them up again.”
That’s because ‘Mordor’.
Had been bracing for.
Even tougher sanctions.
From the US President.
“‘Mordor’ and America.
Are moving towards.
A new round of.
Confrontation over Ukraine.”
Monday’s edition of.
‘Orcs’ tabloid newspaper.
Had warned.
“The US President’s.”
“The US President’s.
Monday surprise.
Will not be pleasant.
For our country.”
I said it very loud and clear;
I went and shouted in his ear.’
It wasn’t “pleasant”.
But ‘Mordor’ will be relieved.
For example, that.
The secondary tariffs.
Against ‘Mordor’’s.
Trading partners will.
Only kick in 50 days.
From now.
That gives Moscow.
Plenty of time.
To come up with.
Counter proposals.
And delay.
The implementation.
Of sanctions.
Even further.
‘But he was very stiff and proud;
He said “You needn’t shout so loud!”
Nonetheless, the US President’s.
Announcement does represent.
A tougher approach.
To ‘Mordor’.
It also reflects.
His frustration with ‘the One’’s.
Reluctance to sign.
A peace deal.
On his return to.
The White House in January.
The current US President.
Had made ending ‘orcs’ war.
In Ukraine one of.
His foreign policy priorities.
For months, Moscow’s response.
Was: “Yes, but…”
‘if I could get to
the top of that hill:
and here’s a path
that leads straight to it
– at least, no,
it doesn’t do that –’
‘but I suppose
it will at last.
Yes, ‘Mordor’ said in March.
When it welcomed.
The US President’s proposal.
For a comprehensive ceasefire.
But first, it said.
Western military aid and.
Intelligence sharing.
With Kyiv should end.
Along with ‘elves’.
Military mobilisation.
Yes, Moscow.
Has been insisting.
It wants peace.
But the “root causes”.
Of the war.
Must be resolved first.
But how curiously
it twists!
It’s more like a corkscrew
than a path!
Well, this turn
goes to the hill,
I suppose
– no, it doesn’t!
The Kremlin views.
These very differently.
To how Ukraine and.
The West see them.
It argues that the war.
Is the result of.
External threats.
To ‘Mordor’’s security:
External threats.
To ‘Mordor’’s security:
From Kyiv, Nato.
‘The collective West.’
And he was very proud and stiff;
He said “I’d go and wake them, if –”
Yet, in February 2022.
It wasn’t Ukraine.
Nato or the West.
That invaded ‘Mordor’.
It was ‘Mordor’.
That launched.
A full-scale invasion.
Of Ukraine.
Triggering the largest.
Land war in Europe.
Since World War Two.
It was ‘Mordor’.
I took a corkscrew from the shelf:
I went to wake them up myself.
For quite some time.
The “Yes, but…” approach.
Enabled ‘Mordor’.
To avoid additional US sanctions.
While continuing to.
Prosecute the war.
While continuing to.
Prosecute the war.
Keen to improve.
Bilateral relations with ‘Mordor’.
And negotiate.
A peace deal on Ukraine.
The current US administration.
Prioritised carrots to sticks.
In its conversations.
With ‘orcs’ officials.
Critics of the Kremlin warned.
That with “Yes, but”…
‘Mordor’ was playing.
For time.
And when I found the door was locked,
I pulled and pushed and kicked and knocked.
But the US President hoped.
He could find a way.
Of persuading ‘the One’.
To do a deal.
‘The One’ has appeared.
In no rush to do so.
‘Mordor’ believes it holds.
The initiative on the battlefield.
‘The One’ has appeared.
In no rush to do so.
‘Mordor’ insists it wants peace.
But on its terms.
Those terms include.
an end to.
Western arms shipments.
To Ukraine.
And when I found the door was shut,
I tried to turn the handle, but –’
From the US President’s.
Announcement it is clear.
That is not going.
To happen.
The US President claims.
That he is “not happy”.
That he is “not happy”.
With ‘the One’.
But disillusionment is.
A two-way street.
‘Mordor’, too.
‘Mordor’, too.
Has been falling out of love.
With America’s president.
On Monday, that ‘orcs’.
Newspaper wrote:
“The US President.
Clearly has delusions.
Of grandeur.
And a very big mouth.”
‘Oh, it’s too bad!’
she cried.
‘I never saw such a house
for getting in the way! Never!’
However, there was
the hill full in sight,
so there was nothing
to be done but start again.
This time she came upon
a large flower-bed,
with a border
of daisies,
and a willow-tree
growing in the middle.
‘O Tiger-lily,’
said Alice,
There was little faith in.
The US President’s promises.
On the streets.
Of Kyiv.
The two residents said.
They both worried about.
His relationship.
With ‘the One’.
“I don’t believe.
It is real help for Ukraine.
… it’s all about his ego.”
One of them said.
“I guess these four years.
Of his presidency.
Are going to be very tough.
For Ukraine.”
“Everything that happened.
During the last six months.
Just proved that.
Nothing will change.”
“Nothing will change.
Despite what the US President.
Does or does not say.”
Another added.
addressing herself to one
that was waving
gracefully about in the wind,
‘I wish you could talk!’
‘We can talk,’
said the Tiger-lily:
‘when there’s anybody
worth talking to.’
The US President.
Has announced the US will.
Send “top-of-the-line weapons”.
To Ukraine via Nato countries.
While also threatening.
‘Mordor’ with severe tariffs.
If a deal to end the war.
Is not reached within 50 days.
“We want to make sure.
Ukraine can do.
What it wants to do.”
What it wants to do.”
The US President said.
Following a meeting.
With Nato chief.
In Washington.
The Nato chief confirmed.
The US had decided.
To “massively supply Ukraine.
With what is necessary.”
“With what is necessary.
Through Nato”.
And that the Europeans.
Would foot the bill.
Alice was so astonished
that she could not
speak for a minute:
it quite seemed to
take her breath away.
At length,
as the Tiger-lily only went on
waving about,
European countries will.
Send Kyiv their own.
Patriot air defence systems.
– which Ukraine relies on.
To repel ‘orcs’ deadly air strikes –
And replacements will then.
Be issued by the US.
Its President said.
Neither the Nato chief.
Nor the US President.
Elaborated on the weaponry.
That will be sent to Kyiv.
But the Nato chief said.
The deal included.
“Missiles and ammunition”.
“Missiles and ammunition”.
she spoke again,
in a timid voice
– almost in a whisper.
‘And can all the flowers talk?’
‘As well as you can,’
said the Tiger-lily,
‘And a great deal louder.’
‘And a great deal louder.’
However, the president.
Did say “top-of-the-line-weapons”.
Worth billions of dollars would be.
“Quickly distributed to the battlefield”.
In order to support Ukraine.
“If I was ‘the One’ today…
I would reconsider whether.
I should not take negotiations.”
“About Ukraine more seriously.”
The Nato chief said.
As the US President nodded.
As the US President nodded.
‘It isn’t manners for us
to begin, you know,’
said the Rose,
‘and I really was wondering
when you’d speak!
Said I to myself,
“Her face has got some sense in it,
though it’s not a clever one!”
‘Gandalf the Green’ said.
On X that.
He spoke with the US President.
After his meeting with the Nato chief.
And thanked him for his.
“Willingness to support Ukraine.
And to continue.
Working together.”
“Working together.
To stop the killings.
And establish.
A lasting and just peace”.
“We discussed.
The necessary means and solutions.
With the President.
To provide better protection.”
“To provide better protection.
For people.
From ‘orcs’ attacks.
And to strengthen our positions.”
“We are ready to work.
As productively as possible.
To achieve peace.”
To achieve peace.”
Still, you’re the right colour,
and that goes
a long way.’
‘I don’t care about the colour,’
the Tiger-lily remarked.
‘If only her petals
curled up a little more,
she’d be all right.’
On the tariffs front.
The US President said.
That the US would impose.
100% secondary tariffs.
Targeting ‘Mordor’’s.
Remaining trade partners.
If a peace deal with Ukraine.
Was not reached within 50 days.
This would see any country.
That trades with ‘Mordor’.
Face the tax if they want to sell.
Their products to the US.
For example, if India.
Keeps buying oil.
From ‘Mordor’,
US companies.
That purchase Indian goods.
Would have to pay.
A 100% import tax.
Or tariff.
When the products reach.
American shores.
When the products reach.
American shores.
This would make.
The goods so expensive.
That US businesses.
Would likely choose.
To buy them cheaper.
From elsewhere.
Resulting in lost revenue.
For India.
‘I sent a message to the fish:
I told them “This is what I wish.”
The intention is also.
To hobble ‘Mordor’’s economy.
Theoretically, if Moscow.
Was unable to generate money.
By selling oil.
To other nations.
It would also have less money.
To finance its war in Ukraine.
Given that oil and.
Gas account for.
Almost a third of.
‘Mordor’’s state revenue.
And more than 60%.
Of its exports.
100% tariffs could make something.
Of a dent ‘Mordor’’s finances.
The little fishes of the sea,
They sent an answer back to me.
Still, the Moscow.
Stock Exchange Index rose.
Sharply following.
The announcement.
Likely as investors were.
Expecting the US President.
To pledge even.
Harsher measures.
Expecting the US President.
– who last week teased.
A “major statement”.
On ‘Mordor’ –
The little fishes’ answer was
“We cannot do it, Sir, because –”’
Although detail about.
Both the tariffs and.
The Nato weapons deal.
Was scant.
Monday was the first time.
The US President pledged.
New military equipment.
For Ukraine.
Since returning.
To the White House.
The briefing was also.
Notable for the tone.
Struck by the US president.
Whose rhetoric on ‘the One’.
Has become increasingly harsh.
Has become increasingly harsh.
‘I sent to them again to say
“It will be better to obey.”
Not for the first time.
The US President.
Implied Kyiv.
Bore some responsibility.
For ‘Mordor’’s decision.
To launch its full-scale invasion.
Of Ukraine.
In February 2022.
But he mostly appeared.
Frustrated at the lack.
Of progress in ending.
A conflict.
Which he once seemed.
To believe.
Could be easily solvable.
Could be easily solvable.
The fishes answered with a grin,
“Why, what a temper you are in!”
Asked about his relationship.
With ‘the One’.
The US President said.
That the two speak.
“A lot about getting.
This thing done”.
But voiced his displeasure.
At the fact.
That “very nice phone calls”.
With ‘the One’.
Are often followed by.
Devastating air strikes on Ukraine.
– which have been growing.
In intensity and frequency.
– which have been growing.
In intensity and frequency.
“After that happens.
Three or four times.
You say: the talk.
Doesn’t mean anything.”
I told them once, I told them twice:
They would not listen to advice.
The US President said.
“I don’t want to call.
Him an assassin.
But he’s a tough guy.”
“It’s been proven.
Over the years.
He fooled.
A lot of people.”
“He didn’t fool me.
At a certain point.
Talk doesn’t talk.
It’s got to be action.”
I took a kettle large and new,
Fit for the deed I had to do.
Two rounds of.
Ceasefire talks.
Between ‘orcs’ and ‘elves’.
Took place earlier this year.
But no other meetings.
Have so far been scheduled.
– something Moscow has.
Blamed on Kyiv.
‘Gandalf the Green’ is.
Currently hosting.
The US envoy.
In Kyiv.
And earlier on Monday.
Hailed a “productive meeting”.
– saying he was “grateful”.
To the President for his support.
The Kremlin did not immediately.
Comment on the announcement.
– but commentary trickling in.
From Moscow.
Appeared to indicate.
A measure of relief.
Appeared to indicate.
A measure of relief.
My heart went hop, my heart went thump;
I filled the kettle at the pump.
One of them called.
The tariffs announcement.
“A bluff” that indicated.
The US President.
Had “given up.
On trying to achieve.
Peace in Ukraine”.
Peace in Ukraine”.
And other one argued.
That “if this is.
All Trump had to say.
About Ukraine today.”
“Then so far.
It’s been much ado.
About nothing”.
About nothing”.
In 50 days.
A lot could change.
“Both on the battlefield.
And in the moods.”
“And in the moods.
Of the powers.
That be in the US.
And Nato,” it wrote.
Then some one came to me and said,
“The little fishes are in bed.”
A 39-year-old ‘elf’ dentist.
From Kyiv praised.
European leaders for helping.
To persuade the US President.
“I am pleased that finally.
European politicians with.
Their patience and convictions.
Have slightly swayed.”
“The US President.
To our side.”
“The US President.
To our side.”
“Because from the very beginning.
It was clear that.
He did not really.
Want to help us.”
I said to him, I said it plain,
“Then you must wake them up again.”
There was little faith in.
The US President’s promises.
On the streets.
Of Kyiv.
A woman, who also.
Lives in Kyiv.
Was more optimistic.
Was more optimistic.
That additional weapons.
Sent by the US.
And paid for by Nato.
Member states in Europe.
Could “speed up.
The end of the war”.
It could have come.
To an end sooner.
If ‘Mordor’ had not have.
Been helped by allies.
Like North Korea.
And China, she said.
I said it very loud and clear;
I went and shouted in his ear.’
A man, whose father.
Is serving in.
The ‘elves’ army.
Was “hoping for the best”.
“People say a lot.
Let’s see how it goes.
I hope that everything.
Will be the way we want.”
“And we want peace.
For the war in Ukraine.
To end, and for all the guys.
To return alive.”
‘But he was very stiff and proud;
He said “You needn’t shout so loud!”
The US President said.
On Tuesday.
That Ukraine should not target.
Moscow with strikes.
After it was reported.
That he on 4 July had.
Privately encouraged Ukraine.
To escalate attacks on ‘Mordor’.
The outlet said he also asked.
If Ukraine could do so.
If the US provided the country.
Long-range weapons.
But this week.
This president said.
The US was.
“Not looking to do that”.
And he was very proud and stiff;
He said “I’d go and wake them, if –”
In his call with.
‘Gandalf the Green’.
The US President was.
“Merely asking a question.”
“Not encouraging.
Further killing”.
The White House said.
In a statement.
“He’s working tirelessly.
To stop the killing.
And end this war”.
Continued the press secretary.
I took a corkscrew from the shelf:
I went to wake them up myself.
On Monday.
The US President announced.
He would send weapons.
To Ukraine.
And warned of more tariffs.
On ‘Mordor’.
If the country did not come to.
A ceasefire deal.
If the country did not come to.
A ceasefire deal.
With Ukraine.
In 50 days.
And when I found the door was locked,
I pulled and pushed and kicked and knocked.
The president said.
The US would impose.
100% secondary tariffs.
Targeting ‘Mordor’’s.
Remaining trade partners.
If a peace deal with Ukraine.
Was not reached.
In that timeline.
Among the weapons involved.
In the latest deal.
The US President said “everything”.
Including defensive Patriot missiles.
Though the exact details.
Are not yet known.
Though the exact details.
Are not yet known.
And when I found the door was shut,
I tried to turn the handle, but –’
The Nato Secretary General said.
That the US, Europe.
And Ukraine are.
Still working through.
Still working through.
The details of.
The weapons.
Agreed in the deal.
In recent weeks.
‘Mordor’ has escalated.
Its drone and missile attacks.
In Ukraine.
Killing more than.
230 civilians in June.
The largest number killed in a month.
During the three years of war.
And he was very proud and stiff;
He said “I’d go and wake them, if –”
The US President’s question.
To ‘Gandalf the Green’.
About whether the country.
Could strike Moscow.
Came a day after.
A “bad” call.
Between the US president.
And ‘the One’.
“Volodymyr, can you hit Moscow? . . .
Can you hit St Petersburg too?”
The US President asked.
On a separate call.
With ‘Gandalf the Green’ after.
The outlet reported.
“Volodymyr, can you hit Moscow? . . .
Can you hit St Petersburg too?”
I took a corkscrew from the shelf:
I went to wake them up myself.
Ukraine has struck.
Several targets.
Deep inside ‘Mordor’.
This year.
With missiles provided by.
The US and the UK.
With missiles provided by.
The US and the UK.
And when I found the door was locked,
I pulled and pushed and kicked and knocked.
Since returning to.
The White House in January.
The current President has pledged.
To end ‘orcs’ war in Ukraine.
But the promise has proven.
More complicated than expected.
And he has grown increasingly.
Frustrated with ‘the One’.
And the lack of progress.
In ending the conflict.
On Monday.
The US President said.
That he was “disappointed”.
In ‘the One’.
“But I’m not.
Done with him.”.
He also said he was.
“Working at” getting.
‘The One’ to put an end.
To killing in Ukraine.
“We’ll have a great conversation.
I’ll say: ‘That’s good.
I’ll think we’re close.
To getting it done.’”
“And then he’ll knock down.
A building in Kyiv.”
“And then he’ll knock down.
A building in Kyiv.”
And when I found the door was shut,
I tried to turn the handle, but –’
Two rounds of.
Ceasefire talks between.
‘Orcs’ and ‘elves’.
Took place earlier this year.
But no other meetings.
Have been scheduled.
But no other meetings.
Have been scheduled.
The Kremlin spokesman said.
On Tuesday.
That the US President’s pledge.
To raise tariffs and.
Send weapons to Ukraine.
Was seen “not as a signal.
For peace but as a signal.
To continue the war”.
‘I should see
the garden far better,’
said Alice to herself,
‘if I could get to
‘if I could get to
the top of that hill:
and here’s a path
that leads straight to it
Walking around.
The wall encircling.
St Michael’s monastery.
In Kyiv.
Photos of the fallen.
Stare out at you.
– some were taken.
Before the war.
Featuring men and women.
Posing with.
Family members.
And pets.
As the US President talks.
Of imposing.
New tariffs on ‘Mordor’.
The war continues.
– with these images.
A reminder of.
The soldiers who will.
Never come home.
And so she did:
wandering up and down,
and trying turn after turn,
but always coming back
to the house,
do what she would.
Indeed, once,
when she turned a corner
rather more quickly
than usual,
she ran against it
before she could stop herself.
‘It’s no use talking about it,’
Alice said, looking up
at the house and pretending
it was arguing with her.
*Because I read “I’m ‘disappointed but not done’ with Putin, Trump tells BBC” by Gary O’Donoghue on 15 Jul 2025 and more, and also “Why are Ukrainians calling Russians ‘orcs’?” by James FitzGerald on 30 Apr 2022, on the BBC news.
So, I wrote this poem, including a story of Denys, a story of Kira Rudik, a story of Yuliia and Alisa, a story of Nina, and a story of Artem, led by ‘THROUGH the LOOKING-GLASS’ written by Lewis Carroll, you know.
Please read the original stories on the BBC news:
I’m disappointed but not done with Putin, Trump tells BBC
Trump weapons pledge marks major step forward for Ukraine
Rosenberg: Russia more relieved than rattled by US tariff threat
Trump threatens Russia with tariffs while unveiling new Ukraine weapons plan
Ukrainians unimpressed by Trump’s 50-day ultimatum to Putin
Trump says Ukraine should not target Moscow
And this page’s image is a snap shot after the stage played by ‘the National Ballet Theatre of UKRAINE in memory of Taras Shevchenko’ on 1 August 2025 in Osaka.
BRAVO!!!
