Malofeyev seemed to speak on Putin’s behalf when he denounced Donald Trump’s Ukraine-Russia peace offer—before negotiations had even started. “For the talks to be constructive,” he said, “we need to talk not about the future of Ukraine but the future of Europe and the world.”
“Trump and his administration should understand that the Russian mainstream has shifted to the right,” Verkhovsky added. For Russia’s growing ultranationalist faction, he said, Trump’s “plan to let Kyiv stay independent would not be acceptable.”
I don’t think Trump reacts well to being disrespected, whereas a more normal politician wouldn’t make major decisions based on personal feelings. I suppose we’ll see what the Russians say to Trump’s face, but if this is going to be their attitude then his response might be dramatic (especially since Zelenskyy is sure to flatter him).
Honestly I don’t think they could have anything that would do any lasting damage to Trump. He has already shown that he’s above the law and his supporters literally don’t care. What they could threaten him with though is cutting off funding or exposing his actual net worth. Either one of those could really hurt him. All that said I don’t think they even need to go that far, it’s obvious Putin controls Trump and gives him his marching orders, so all it would take is a call from Putin.
I don’t think Trump reacts well to being disrespected, whereas a more normal politician wouldn’t make major decisions based on personal feelings. I suppose we’ll see what the Russians say to Trump’s face, but if this is going to be their attitude then his response might be dramatic (especially since Zelenskyy is sure to flatter him).
The russians will say to trump, “we have kompromat.”
Honestly I don’t think they could have anything that would do any lasting damage to Trump. He has already shown that he’s above the law and his supporters literally don’t care. What they could threaten him with though is cutting off funding or exposing his actual net worth. Either one of those could really hurt him. All that said I don’t think they even need to go that far, it’s obvious Putin controls Trump and gives him his marching orders, so all it would take is a call from Putin.