Putin is meeting Trump in Alaska next week to convince Trump that Russia must annex (read STEAL) large parts of Ukraine to defend itself against assimilation into NATO and/or the European Union.
In other words, “We must annex other people’s land so we don’t get annexed.“ In other words, “Annex or be annexed.“ In other words, “We must rob them before they rob us.”
Of course, there’s no evidence that Putin‘s fear of Russia of being gobbled up by NATO is justified. So WHAT if nations east of Germany have decided to join NATO. That is their sovereign right as sovereign countries. Then again, there’s no evidence that “protecting Russia from the western infidels” is actually Putin’s motive. I mean, he says that’s his motive, but I for one don’t believe him—and never have.
My long study of Putin informs me that his motive is geopolitical and material. Ukraine has the goods. The mineral goods. Annexing more of it keeps Russia in the trade game and gives them more bargaining power. it also gives Putin more power, and God knows he is power hungry. And you can rest assured he won’t stop at Ukraine. You give Putin a little, and he will take a lot more.
Before I get out of here, I have to pause to appreciate the insane irony of a land grabber killing millions of his own people and hundreds of thousands of others due to his supposed fear that land grabbers will destroy his country. I think it may have been Karl Marx who said “Always accuse the enemy of the very thing you are doing.” It’s a tried and true tactic of tyrants the world over. And shockingly, people still fall for it.
As for Trump’s photo opp in Alaska with Putin. Of course it’s a complete waste of taxpayer money. All optics. There is nothing these two dudes will be saying in person that they couldn’t say over a phone call or a freaking Zoom meeting like the rest of the world. One thing is for sure, no matter what is said, or decided, SuperTrump will return triumphantly, waving the peace sign, and telling us that he has restored justice to the world. He would never miss a chance to exalt himself, just like his friend Putin.
For the record, Trump originally called Putin a genius for invading Ukraine. He said he would resolve the “conflict” in his first 24 hours of taking office. He gravely underestimated the situation and how little Putin “respected” him. He then took the position of the Democrats and admitted the Putin was a land grabber who didn’t want peace. He then continued to send Ukraine weapons and money, just like the Democrats. So much for being different than the Democrats.
I almost feel sorry for Trump’s loyalists. They are so confused because they had been trained to believe that Putin was the good guy, and Zelensky was the bad guy. They can’t get their minds around Trump’s flip-flop, so most of them don’t even comment on it anymore. So goes the dangers of believing lunatics and their ramblings. Almost. It’s hard to feel sorry for anybody who is willfully ignorant and refuses to think for themselves.
Finally, Zelensky has always already signaled that he will not allow Putin to rob Ukraine of land, minerals, people, or anything else. Good for him. I won’t go as far as to say I “stand with Ukraine.“ But I definitely stand against tyranny of all kinds.
