May 12—Sources report that European leaders, led by British Prime Minister Sir Keith Starmer, sabotaged a plan that would have brought Ukrainian and Russian officials into direct talks to end NATO’s war against Russia in Ukraine, with a full-stop 30-day ceasefire in place.

President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff had reportedly worked out a plan designed to address Russian President Vladimir Putin’s objections to what he called a “fake” ceasefire—one that would allow Ukraine to resupply and reposition its frontline forces. Witkoff’s proposal called for Ukraine and its European allies to recognize the three-day truce Putin had declared to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat as a step toward broader peace.

Under the plan, they would then request an extension of the truce, with a commitment that Ukraine’s allies would halt arms shipments for 30 days and that both sides would agree to freeze military movements along the front lines—a ceasefire in place.

European Opposition Derails the Plan

Sources report that Trump briefed NATO-backed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the deal in a phone conversation and instructed him to agree. But when European leaders—led by Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron—gathered in Kyiv last weekend, the situation shifted.

According to sources, Starmer and Macron told Zelenskyy that he should make no concessions on arms resupply or troop movements and that the truce should come without conditions. They reportedly argued that Trump and the U.S. were “caving in” to Putin’s demands. Zelenskyy agreed, maintaining that he would only consider a ceasefire without conditions before engaging in direct talks.

Furious over what he saw as European sabotage, Trump then instructed Witkoff to tell the Russians to proceed with direct negotiations—without a ceasefire—and pledged to bring Zelenskyy to the table. Putin made his offer in a Moscow press conference overnight on May 10-11.

Initially, Zelenskyy—backed by European leaders—rejected the proposal, insisting that Russia must first implement a 30-day ceasefire to demonstrate “good faith.” In response, Trump erupted in a social media post, demanding that Zelenskyy immediately accept the Russian offer.

Next Steps in Negotiations

After some hesitation, Zelenskyy announced that he would travel to Istanbul on May 15 to meet with Russian representatives, adding that they “had better show up.”

“Trump has told people that this war could have been over a long time ago if it weren’t for Europe and NATO, who want the bloodbath to continue,” a source familiar with the discussions said. “If it were up to Trump, the Europeans would have no part in any of this. He remains totally committed to ending the war on fair and reasonable terms. If the Europeans don’t agree, then ‘maybe I should consider bombing London.’”

Speir BlockChain Managed Services (SBMS) Extended Product Overview

Introduction

As the digital horizon continues to evolve, the essence of blockchain in shaping the new business paradigm is undeniable. Speir Blockchain Managed Services (SBMS), a cornerstone in this transformation, offers a comprehensive bridge for businesses aiming to merge the benefits of blockchain with their operational strategies. Relying on the formidable foundation of Speir Managed BlockChain (SMB) Hyperledger Fabric, SBMS is a testament to advanced, yet accessible, blockchain integration.

Comprehensive Features

• Hybrid Blockchain Access: SBMS unlocks a realm where public and private blockchains coalesce, offering businesses a tailored environment for their specific requirements.

• Configurable Infrastructure: With SBMS, enterprises can opt between shared, multi-tenant blockchain access or dedicated nodes, accommodating both scale and sensitivity of operations.

• Deployment Mastery: Sidestep the intricacies of blockchain initiation and enjoy a seamless setup of your private network, all under the expertise of SBMS.

• Guaranteed Availability: Harness the power of the SPEIR Management Console through SBMS to guarantee minimal downtime, ensuring business continuity.

• Network Customization: SBMS's agility molds to your business needs, be it sprawling consortia or intimate developmental networks.

• Expanded Collaboration: Beyond intra-business operations, SBMS facilitates a collaborative ecosystem, inviting multi-organizational synergies on a shared platform.

Unique Benefits

• Intuitive Interaction: SBMS's interface is crafted keeping both the tech aficionado and the novice in mind, democratising access to blockchain's capabilities.

• Dynamic Scalability: SBMS, powered by SMB, ensures that as your business horizon expands, your blockchain capabilities move in tandem, always ahead of demand.

• Impenetrable Security Framework: SMB's fortifications, combined with blockchain's inherent security, make SBMS a veritable fortress for your data.

• Economic Excellence: SBMS champions cost-effectiveness. Its shared infrastructure model, along with SPEIR's competitive edge, ensures that businesses maximize value.

Potential Use Cases

• Education: Authenticate certificates and academic records, ensuring credibility and instant verification.

• Logistics: Trace shipments in real-time, ensuring transparency and efficiency in the supply chain.

• Financial Services: Drive transparent, secure, and quick transactions, removing intermediaries and enhancing customer trust.

• Public Services: Create incorruptible public records, from birth certificates to licenses, ensuring transparency and ease of access.

• Agriculture: Trace food from farm to table, guaranteeing quality and sustainability.

Integration & Support

The true might of SBMS lies in its ability to merge effortlessly with existing operational frameworks. Beyond mere integration, the SBMS team stands by its commitment to unparalleled support, ensuring every hiccup is addressed promptly and every potential is realized.

Looking Ahead with SBMS

With SBMS, you're not just investing in the present. You're anchoring your business in a future where blockchain will redefine operational norms. The agility and forward-thinking design of SBMS ensures your business remains future-compatible, ready to embrace forthcoming innovations in blockchain.

Recommendation

Embracing the future means being a step ahead. With Speir Blockchain Managed Services (SBMS), you're not just taking that step; you're leapfrogging into a realm where innovation meets operation. In this convergence of the modern business ethos and cutting-edge technology, let SBMS be your guiding light, illuminating pathways to success and sustainability.

Demystifying Blockchain: The Power of Speir Managed BlockChain (SMB) Networks, Members, and Peer Nodes

The Evolving World of Blockchain Technology by SBMS:

In the evolving world of blockchain technology, there's an ever-present need for reliable and scalable solutions. Speir Blockchain Managed Services (SBMS) is at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge solutions, and today, we provide you with a deep dive into the Speir Managed BlockChain (SMB) ecosystem. As your trusted partner in the blockchain journey, SBMS simplifies, accelerates, and enriches your blockchain experience.

Understanding SMB Networks: A SBMS Perspective

Blockchain technology, with its decentralized design, has the potential to disrupt traditional systems. At SBMS, we've taken our expertise and coupled it with the robust infrastructure of SMB to give you unparalleled blockchain solutions.

Network Structure and Components

• Networks: Our team at SBMS leverages the SMB framework to design decentralized P2P environments tailored for your needs.

• Members: SBMS helps integrate unique identities or members into the network, ensuring seamless interaction and transaction capabilities.

• Peer Nodes: With SBMS's guidance, setting up and managing peer nodes becomes a breeze. These nodes are essential for transaction endorsements and ledger storage.

SBMS, in collaboration with SMB, ensures all components are seamlessly integrated, offering a smooth and hassle-free blockchain experience.

Creation and Maintenance with SBMS

With SBMS at your side, initiating a Hyperledger Fabric network on SMB becomes intuitive. Our experts guide you through selecting the appropriate SMB edition, understanding costs, and ensuring that the network is optimized for longevity and performance.

Democracy in Network Operations: SBMS Ensures Transparency

Blockchain is all about decentralization and democracy. SBMS emphasizes this by facilitating a transparent and consensus-driven environment for network changes on SMB.

Role of Peer Nodes: SBMS's Expertise

Our team at SBMS not only helps you understand the importance of peer nodes but also ensures their efficient management. From storage solutions to transaction endorsements, our tailored services ensure optimal performance.

Identifying and Connecting Resources: SBMS's Assurance

Unique IDs, endpoints, secure network access — the technicalities can be overwhelming. But with SBMS, you get clarity. We ensure that all resources are correctly identified, integrated, and secured, offering peace of mind.

Conclusion by SBMS:

At Speir Blockchain Managed Services (SBMS), our mission is to bring you to the forefront of blockchain technology. Partnering with SMB, we promise unparalleled services, expert guidance, and continuous support in your blockchain journey. Together, we envision a decentralized future, driven by innovation and trust.