I don't know if it will work, but I think there is a psychological game here as well - to diminish Putin's strongman image in Trump's mind. When Trump sees Putin being dominated by Zelensky, he just might abandon him. There is no doubt in my mind that part of what Zelensky is doing when he dominates the media narrative is deliberately calculated to make Trump lose interest in playing up to Putin.
One of the things that awed Trump about Putin is how wealthy he is. Now that Trump is wallowing in bribes and being feted in Qatar, Putin's approval probably matters a lot less to Trump.
Time for the Europeans to "put up or shut up" with their sanctions. Russia's economy is in "extremis". Putin knows it and so do the oligarchs, not to mention the siloviki in the intelligence services. They have run out of money...the National Wealth Fund is essentially empty. Printing billions of rubles has not helped. Their income from gas and oil sales has collapsed. All that is left is the savimgs and bank accounts of the Russian people. Russia's post-war future is grim, even without Putin.
Totally agree. The EU sanctions may be the straw that breaks the Putin back. Delaying these, while hoping for Trump to "do something honorable" is a fools game.
The way to crush Putin's play in Ukraine is to persistently increase the cost of "victory" to Putin. Sanctions are a way to do that, certainly.
A second approach is for the EU to start to mobilize its own forces, some to Ukraine, some to Poland. This can be a drawn out process with multiple opportunities for the EU to "show we're serious" while applying persistent upward pressure on Putin.
Together, sanctions plus mobilization, can remove any "Hope" from Putin's eyes. At the same time, such will earn for the EU some credibility as an emerging power, separate from the US. Win-Win.
I believe the parties have agreed upon the new sanctions but we still need to see the "no ifs, no buts" part of Starmer's speech implemented with or without the USA.
Great news, although I’m skeptical Trump will ever dump Putin, or change his opinion of the conflict.
After he talks to Putin, he’ll be back to his usual self. At best, he’s force Putin to be more realistic in his goals, but still try to strong arm Zelenskyy in the end. I hope I’m wrong!…:)
Honorable, brave selfless men like Zalensky, will always be seen as a rare and indispensable asset in the world today, standing tall and fighting the good fight, not just for them, but, for everybody.
Other “world” leaders will be seen as they are, emperors without clothes, standing naked with all their deceit, lies, dishonesty, cruelty, corruption, crimes against humanity, greed, hubris, lawlessness, gluttony, blasphemy, racism, homeciide, genocide, adultery and self-importance exposed to humanity and history.
So what I take away from this extremely well written and thought provoking article is that despite all his posturing and back-stabbing, Trump is being handed an opportunity to align with our real allies, and get on the right side of history, at least with regards with Ukraine, all tied up in ribbons and bows on a silver platter.
I just wish I could believe that he will accept the opportunity. Here’s the deal. He claimed he could end the Ukraine war in 1 day. That day is here, Donnie. Do the right thing. For once, do the right thing.
Shankar, great analysis which includes rare hope that the leaders of the coalition were right not to cut the Trump administration out yet. It is their last chance to salvage something for the USA only if they drop the idea of surrendering any Ukraine lands to Russia. If Trump's memory fails him again when there is agreement direct with Putin, the coalition would then have to drop the USA. Hope it doesn't happen.
Hahaha. I wish. If only McCain had been the President, the world will be so much more peaceful today and the United States would have moved in a different direction. No one gives him any credit for the lonely effort he waged to cut big money from politics. As long as I write, I will never forget what he tried to do and never forget to mention it. He had a long term view on what is good for the country. Even the best of the dems dont have it.
"He’s, (Putin) losing his grip over President Trump, and worse, he knows it."
vlad took too long to end this war and djt had time to make other more profitable alliances with the Arab countries, while Russia is imploding and can't offer greedy djt 300 million gold encrusted 747s. vlad you underestimated your control over djt, you got him the first election but to donnie, that's old news and he could smell defeat in your war with Ukraine. I mean to get a standing ovation at the Pope's funeral, it's got to mean something. vlad you let this run for too long and underestimated President Zelensky, he is not just a tv comic but the jokes on you. Russia will be better of without you.
I disagree with Shankar on most of this take. Trump responds to Putin's defiance by excusing his behavior. Nothing has changed: Europe and UKraine remain utterly dependent on Trump's whims, and Trump shows zero inclination to pressure Putin into terms acceptable to Ukraine. We should no longer speculate that Trump is going to get tough.
And none of it matters unless Ukraine gets more military help. This could have been dealt with in 2022. Now, Ukraine is pressed for manpower and Putin gets Asian cannon fodder to keep protests off the streets of Moscow.
😂, absolutely awesome article, Shankar, as usual!
I don't know if it will work, but I think there is a psychological game here as well - to diminish Putin's strongman image in Trump's mind. When Trump sees Putin being dominated by Zelensky, he just might abandon him. There is no doubt in my mind that part of what Zelensky is doing when he dominates the media narrative is deliberately calculated to make Trump lose interest in playing up to Putin.
One of the things that awed Trump about Putin is how wealthy he is. Now that Trump is wallowing in bribes and being feted in Qatar, Putin's approval probably matters a lot less to Trump.
agreed
Seems like Trump wants to steer clear of Putin (again). He has delegated all this to Rubio, and Rubio seems to have a free hand. So far so positive.
But Putin seems to have “compromat” on Trump, so it’s still dangerous for Ukraine and EU.
At this point? Nothing damages him. Some sort of leverage, though.
Hope you've right
Time for the Europeans to "put up or shut up" with their sanctions. Russia's economy is in "extremis". Putin knows it and so do the oligarchs, not to mention the siloviki in the intelligence services. They have run out of money...the National Wealth Fund is essentially empty. Printing billions of rubles has not helped. Their income from gas and oil sales has collapsed. All that is left is the savimgs and bank accounts of the Russian people. Russia's post-war future is grim, even without Putin.
Totally agree. The EU sanctions may be the straw that breaks the Putin back. Delaying these, while hoping for Trump to "do something honorable" is a fools game.
The way to crush Putin's play in Ukraine is to persistently increase the cost of "victory" to Putin. Sanctions are a way to do that, certainly.
A second approach is for the EU to start to mobilize its own forces, some to Ukraine, some to Poland. This can be a drawn out process with multiple opportunities for the EU to "show we're serious" while applying persistent upward pressure on Putin.
Together, sanctions plus mobilization, can remove any "Hope" from Putin's eyes. At the same time, such will earn for the EU some credibility as an emerging power, separate from the US. Win-Win.
Slava Ukraini!
I believe the parties have agreed upon the new sanctions but we still need to see the "no ifs, no buts" part of Starmer's speech implemented with or without the USA.
Trump must already be under pressure from the US defense industry to ramp things up. Putin might have given him the excuse he needs.
yes. that is the leverage
Incredible writing. Love your thinking. But man I hope you are right. Then Putin’s economy needs to crash 💥
Great news, although I’m skeptical Trump will ever dump Putin, or change his opinion of the conflict.
After he talks to Putin, he’ll be back to his usual self. At best, he’s force Putin to be more realistic in his goals, but still try to strong arm Zelenskyy in the end. I hope I’m wrong!…:)
Well. At least Ze managed to effectively cut the operational space for Putin. Lets take the win for now and live to fight another day.
I agree, but I’ll believe Trump changes when all the i’s are dotted, and the t’s crossed…:)
Agree with this. Trump is too aligned politically with Putin. Wants the same things. Kleptocracy.
Honorable, brave selfless men like Zalensky, will always be seen as a rare and indispensable asset in the world today, standing tall and fighting the good fight, not just for them, but, for everybody.
Other “world” leaders will be seen as they are, emperors without clothes, standing naked with all their deceit, lies, dishonesty, cruelty, corruption, crimes against humanity, greed, hubris, lawlessness, gluttony, blasphemy, racism, homeciide, genocide, adultery and self-importance exposed to humanity and history.
So what I take away from this extremely well written and thought provoking article is that despite all his posturing and back-stabbing, Trump is being handed an opportunity to align with our real allies, and get on the right side of history, at least with regards with Ukraine, all tied up in ribbons and bows on a silver platter.
I just wish I could believe that he will accept the opportunity. Here’s the deal. He claimed he could end the Ukraine war in 1 day. That day is here, Donnie. Do the right thing. For once, do the right thing.
The world would be a better place if Trump and Putin were sequestered on Alcatraz.
With or without Trump, if the sanctions do their job, it could even be the closest we have been to checkmate in the game playing out of Putin.
Shankar, great analysis which includes rare hope that the leaders of the coalition were right not to cut the Trump administration out yet. It is their last chance to salvage something for the USA only if they drop the idea of surrendering any Ukraine lands to Russia. If Trump's memory fails him again when there is agreement direct with Putin, the coalition would then have to drop the USA. Hope it doesn't happen.
We need a new President. How about Zelensky 💗
Hahaha. I wish. If only McCain had been the President, the world will be so much more peaceful today and the United States would have moved in a different direction. No one gives him any credit for the lonely effort he waged to cut big money from politics. As long as I write, I will never forget what he tried to do and never forget to mention it. He had a long term view on what is good for the country. Even the best of the dems dont have it.
I respected many things about McCain but I didn't agree with his policies
Thank you for this article I learned so much.
"He’s, (Putin) losing his grip over President Trump, and worse, he knows it."
vlad took too long to end this war and djt had time to make other more profitable alliances with the Arab countries, while Russia is imploding and can't offer greedy djt 300 million gold encrusted 747s. vlad you underestimated your control over djt, you got him the first election but to donnie, that's old news and he could smell defeat in your war with Ukraine. I mean to get a standing ovation at the Pope's funeral, it's got to mean something. vlad you let this run for too long and underestimated President Zelensky, he is not just a tv comic but the jokes on you. Russia will be better of without you.
but trump has changed the narative, he says he now wants a one on one with putin, kicking the can farther down the road
Not yet. Sanctions might still make it through. Lets see, we will know very soon.
I disagree with Shankar on most of this take. Trump responds to Putin's defiance by excusing his behavior. Nothing has changed: Europe and UKraine remain utterly dependent on Trump's whims, and Trump shows zero inclination to pressure Putin into terms acceptable to Ukraine. We should no longer speculate that Trump is going to get tough.
It is ok. We can have disagreements. Lets see how this develops as EU sanctions package looks almost ready. It is going out with or without the US.
Oh, that idiot…, catching myself too late…
👍
Wow! Let’s hope the anti-Putin forces in Washington DC are awake and ready to take the lead!
And none of it matters unless Ukraine gets more military help. This could have been dealt with in 2022. Now, Ukraine is pressed for manpower and Putin gets Asian cannon fodder to keep protests off the streets of Moscow.