Putin has Trump right where he wants him

Key Points:

• In 2016, Donald Trump publicly invited Russia to hack Hillary Clinton’s emails, signaling early overtures to Russia that continued throughout his presidency, including siding with Putin over U.S. intelligence on election interference.
• Trump pledged to end the Ukraine war quickly if elected in 2024, but his actions, including lifting sanctions on Russian oil and waiving others, are seen as aiding Russia’s war efforts and betraying Ukraine.
• Trump and Elon Musk allegedly sabotaged Ukrainian intelligence by slowing Starlink communications, enabling a massive Russian attack, and Trump reportedly pushed for Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s ouster and surrender to Russia.
• The administration’s moves are partly aimed at addressing U.S. fuel prices caused by Trump’s war with Iran, but critics argue these actions effectively support Russia and Iran, U.S. adversaries, while causing geopolitical instability.
• Reports suggest Putin proposed a summit with Trump and Xi Jinping to decide Ukraine’s fate, evoking historical parallels to the Yalta Conference, and signaling a potential new global order dominated by Russia, China, and Trump’s influence.