Summary
A video circulating on social media shows Vladimir Putin laughing when told he was late for his scheduled call with Donald Trump.
The call, meant to discuss a Ukraine ceasefire, started an hour late, fueling speculation that Putin was mocking Trump. Analysts note that keeping leaders waiting is a known Putin power move.
Trump downplayed the delay, emphasizing that negotiations on land and power plants were ongoing.
Putin’s actions reflect his lack of respect for Trump, despite his recent concessions to Russia.
“More fake news. Putin and I have a tremendous relationship. Probably the best ever between our countries… He wasn’t laughing at me; he was laughing at crooked Joe. The call was perfect, absolutely perfect. We discussed many important things, including hockey and Ukraine, and we’re making great progress. But the dishonest media won’t tell you that. They’re all a scam. Don’t forget to pick up a new Trump Bible for only $49.99 on the Whitehouse website. Tremendous quality.”
There’s a big argument from people who speak Russian about the nuance of this moment and whether Putin was dismissing the moderator. I’m choosing not to jump on this as any sort of hopeful wedge between Trump and Putin. Feels too easy to be misconstrued.
https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-donald-trump-vladimir-putin-ukraine-partial-ceasefire-broken/
Trump claimed a ‘partial ceasefire’ had been achieved…
… and an hour after the call ended, 40 Russian drones had attacked a hospital and power substation in Ukraine.
Bigly huge good negotiating Mr. President, the best, many people are saying, the best negotiating the world has ever seen.
Lack of respect for trump, or he’s assering dominance and showing the world he has some control over trump? Probably both.
No “probably” about it. It’s deliberate public humiliation, to show the entire world who’s boss. Think America is the most powerful nation on Earth? Putin is demonstrating that America will defer to him.
Who respects Trump? Im with Putin on this one.
Orange man should be in jail long ago. So should Putin, but hey.
