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In reply to the discussion: Trump is a traitor with no business addressing West Point today. [View all]
Kid Berwyn
(22,880 posts)by Jonathan Sweet and Mark Toth, Opinion Contributors
The Hill, May 23, 2025
Excerpt...
Trump’s post on X following his two-hour phone call with Putin should have come as no surprise. Days prior to the conversation, a senior European diplomat told the Financial Times, “Putin is doing just enough to convince Trump that he is engaged in this effort to find peace in Ukraine, while also doing as much as possible to make sure it goes nowhere. And Trump is falling for it.”
And he did fall for it — again. Putin adhered to the teachings of Sun Tzu — know your enemy. He embraced the bromance. The call went so well for Putin that a senior Russian official said the two leaders seemed to “not want to say goodbye.” Trump and his ‘Art of the Deal’ mentality, coupled with his narcissistic ego, was made to order for the former KGB agent.
Monday’s phone call changed nothing as Russian and Ukrainian negotiators had already met in Istanbul for 90 minutes where they discussed the possibility of a ceasefire as well as follow-on meetings.
But Putin got what he wanted — more time, and friction between the U.S. and their NATO allies. What he tells Trump one-on-one is not the message his negotiators convey. Zelensky — and his European allies — remain in the way. Creating separation between the U.S. and NATO is Putin’s strategy.
Snip...
Once again, Putin is writing checks his army cannot cash. But Trump seems unwilling to stamp them for insufficient funds.
Continues...
https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/5311758-trump-economic-deals-putin/
Like magic, Cha. Putin wins and democracy loses, again.
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