cross-posted from: https://metawire.eu/post/247532
US President Donald Trump on Friday announced that he had ordered two nuclear submarines to deploy near Russia, responding to what he called “foolish and inflammatory” threats from former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev.
He is probably going to give them to Putin as a gift.
Their relationship has changed. I don’t think Trump cares about Putin anymore. The pee tape being released (assuming it does exist) won’t harm him, and Trump no longer relies on Putin’s funding or social media manipulation for elections. Trump got most of his funding for the last election from Elon and people who know Elon, and now Trump can create other ways for foreign influence to launder money to him (such as the Trump cryptocurrency).
Meanwhile, Trump feels directly snubbed that his “deadlines” for a Ukraine ceasefire have been ignored by Putin. That’s why you see renewed funding for Ukraine.
Narcissists can be very deferential to people they see as equal or above them on the social hierarchy, and Trump likely saw Putin that way. But not anymore.
Trump likes Putin because he showered him with praise and admiration for 20 years, not because of some threats of blackmail. He got invited to all the big parties in Moscow, but never got invited to any in Britain, or France, or Washington, hence why he hates them and loves Russia.
This? This is all theater for the part of the Republicans that still don’t like Putin. This isn’t real action.
Where are the Republicans that still hate Russia? They’ve been very quiet for the last decade. Wherever they are, I see no reason Trump would care about them.
Giving funding back to Ukraine is concrete action.
Your first paragraph can be true while also having a recent falling out.
There are no Republicans that still hate Russia.
Obligatory reminder that when Putin ordered his puppets home on Independence Day, they fucking boarded a plane and kissed the ring.
They know about it and protect their own. “What’s said in the family stays in the family.”
Shit maybe the CIA is slowly deprogramming him, who knows. He’s announced funding back to Ukraine, they’ve asked for the details. Again I’ll wait till I see concrete action.
“No ties attached I swear”
Keys are in the ignition.