Has Vladimir Putin noticed the writing on the walls that loudly declares “TRUMP”?
This is an interesting question. Especially since Tovarisch, Putin has now indicated a willingness for him to meet with the new American President. Why is this interesting? The Russian dictator was not particularly interested in speaking to the departing American president.
Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, said on Thursday that he is ready to meet Donald Trump, the U.S. president-elect to find a compromise to end the conflict in Ukraine. This comes almost three years after Putin ordered the full-scale invasion.
Putin said that during his four-hour-long annual Moscow phone call with journalists, he had not spoken to Trump for more than four years but was “ready” at any time to discuss the war.
He said: “I am certain we would have plenty to discuss if we were to meet with Mr. Trump at some stage.”
They would. In such matters, “jaw, bite, bite” is preferable to “war, battle, war,” according to Winston Churchill. But both sides must see it this way. Trump is a long-time advocate of communication, probably on the basis that it’s impossible to reach an agreement or understanding without talking with people. But is Tsar Vladimir aiming to return the status quo?
That’s doubtful. With a little judicious interpretation, you can find the catch in Putin’s continuing remarks:
Putin said during his marathon news conference that Moscow “has always said that we are prepared for compromises and negotiation,” but “the other party needs to be as well.”
The Russian leader, who has been in power for decades, said that Moscow doesn’t want a ceasefire agreement lasting a long time but instead a “durable and secure peace with guarantees to the Russian Federation” and its citizens.
We’ll break this down into segments.
Putin’s comment that Moscow was “ready for negotiations and compromises” with the caveat “the other side must be ready” is a quote that we can all agree is a bit misleading. We should not forget that Putin is an ex-KGB apparatchik who behaves accordingly.
Second, it is possible to interpret the statement that Moscow, in whose name Tsar Vladimir appears to speak, wants “a durable peace secured with guaranteed for the Russian Federation”, as “guarantees to the Russian Federation for them to keep the majority, if not the entire, of the Ukrainian territory we currently hold.”
Note that there is no mention of Putin’s willingness, or lack thereof, to talk with the current president. That’s somewhat understandable, as Joe Biden is now the lamest of all the lame ducks throughout history and is finding out that this status isn’t all it’s quacked up to be. Also, we might mention that he’s non compos mentis and incapable of any serious discussion.
If President Trump is given the chance to speak with the Russian dictator, then he should. He has nothing at stake. The Tsar Vladimir is no better.
