Is Putin stringing along Trump AGAIN?

As China is restricting export of rare earth minerals, and there are deposits in the areas of Ukraine occupied by Russia, it would be in Trumps and Europe’s best interest to remove Russia from Ukraine. I think that Trump has already got an agreement to buy from Ukraine. Perhaps Zelenski needs to up his price.

NanKate

If only Trump had seen Zelensky first before speaking to Putin and arranging a meeting in Hungary. In the meantime many more Ukraines will be killed and Russian soldiers too.

Putin knows how to play Trump to the detriment of Ukraine.

Zelensky won’t get the weapons he wants from the USA.

This can only end badly.

I don't believe it would have made any difference if Trump had spoken to Zelinsky first, and Zelinsky is probably in no greater danger if he goes to Budapest than if he went anywhere else.

To answer your question: I believe Putin is stringing Trump along.

I too doubt that Zelinsky will get the weapons he is asking for, if he did, Ukraine might just end this war to their advantage, and Trump does not want that in my estimation. Nor, obviously, does Putin.
Putin wants all of Ukraine, not just the parts that are the Russian part of the front right now.

Well, rumours have circulated for years that the Russians must have a hold on Chump, likely some interesting film from a hotel room back in the days when Donny was in Moscow trying to expand the property empire.

Remember Chump was going to end the war "on day one"? The meeting in Alaska was quite sickening, a multiple war criminal (don't forget the 300 to 500K innocent civilians wiped out in Syria while shoring up the Assad regime) being massaged by a multiple bankrupt who claims he's a business genius. And to repeat, for any new readers, Chump is an egomaniac thin-skinned bully, eased through college by daddy buying him a degree and a draft-dodger who criticises actual military veterans. Etc.

There was a funny section of HIGNFY, they showed in their 'weekly roundup' a pic of Chump on the TIME cover, which he described as the "worst picture ever". The panel helpfully said "no it isn't Donald" . . .and they put up the pic of Chump and Epstein, arms round each other, smiling for the camera.

Even Chump's mentally challenged MAGA-fans are beginning to criticise him for that association. Maybe they never saw the film from Donny's Apprentice days, taken backstage with the sound on, when he was caught saying to a pal, as an attractive blonde walks past, "let's go grab some pus*y, they love it". Yuk.

Possibly Trump is being blackmailed by Putin. He was involved in so much odd stuff it probably wouldn't be hard to find something else he doesn't want exposed.

Alwaysworrying

I am quietly pleased that Trump has not given in to requests for Tomahawks. We stand on the brink of World War 3 and there is always the nuclear threat hanging over us. I think when people get really desperate, they do desperate things and l don't trust either of these men not to escalate events to catastrophic levels, which using these weapons would surely provoke a terrible response.

I agree Alwaysworrying, Trump seems unable to believe Putin won't be swayed by his charms.

Trump has been making it very clear that he’d rather stop with war than to give Ukraine the tomahawks . He feels it’s worth another meeting with Putin to hopefully come to agreement to finish the war , as to supply Ukraine with those deadly weapons would only potentially make things worse. If one were to follow and listen to what Trump has been saying it does make a lot os sense

I think Zelenski knows the score with Trump, especially after that disgrace of a hissy fit in the White House.
But, because he has to, will keep trying.
How amazing, that they have fought off everything thrown at them for the past how many years.

YES its been quite obvious ..

Yes he is as Trump is stringing along Zeleskyy of the Ukraine.

I am quietly pleased that Trump has not given in to requests for Tomahawks. We stand on the brink of World War 3 and there is always the nuclear threat hanging over us. I think when people get really desperate, they do desperate things and l don't trust either of these men not to escalate events to catastrophic levels, which using these weapons would surely provoke a terrible response.

Yes, he is his willing puppet

Casdon, your post has given me hope, about Putin's weakness.

YES OF COURSE HE IS. Trump is unable to see through Putins flattery and likely offers of real estate, etc, once the war stops. He’s always on Putins side, he admires him!

My first thought was that Putin is just stringing along Trump yet again and timing it very well to have a 2 hr conversation with him days before his timed meeting with Zelensky.
My second thought is that I'm glad Trump isn't just rushing into an outright world war situation. Maybe Trump actually realises what Putin is doing but feels it's always worth a try to talk with him??? Not sure I believe this, not sure Trump has the brain power to see Putin's actions for what they probably are.
Heaven help us all and especially the Ukranians.

Grams2five

Is the Pope Catholic? Of course he’s stringing him along and d course Trump will fall for it

I agree.

Yes, yes, yes! If ever there was an accomplished PuppetMaster it's Putin.

Trump will trip over his pompous ego because he's his own vanity project. He can't help himself and for sure he thinks schmoozing Netanyahu and pushing himself forward in the ceasefire negotiations makes him on a par with Jesus Christ.

I don’t know about that Maremia, I think there are some brains working in Trump’s team even if I don’t agree with a lot of their activities. I also think Russia is being seriously weakened by the war, they have lost over a million lives, trade embargo’s are biting, the economy is poor, and Putin is not universally popular as that worsens. It is in his interests to reach an agreement, for the interim at least.

Have you seen Trump with Putin? Did it ever look as if he was playing hardball?
Putin has decades of experience. Trump has sycophants, who tell him what he needs to hear, to get through the day.

Maybe his ego but also he isn't really very bright, is he?

Trump's already looking silly with his pronouncement that the war between Gaza and Israel is over, when the cease fire is hanging by a thread.

Putin's been stringing him along from day one because Trump's ego doesn't enable him to see he's being played.

Of course he is. He is a whily old fox, He is ex KGB who knows just how to play and out manouvre the steam roller that is Trump.

Not so sure, Trump won’t want to look silly and he reads the news and SM like most people do so will be aware of all the ‘Putin leading DT on’ stuff.

Is the Pope Catholic? Of course he’s stringing him along and d course Trump will fall for it

Yes

I’m on the fence at the moment. I think Trump believes he’s wearing the invincibility cloak at the moment, and he will play hardball with Putin in Hungary - but where that will end up, I don’t know.