By Matt Underwood Bolton: Trump-Putin summit a ‘great victory’ for Moscow, and it seems like there’s a pretty clear consensus on this, even if the messenger is someone like John Bolton, who many people have their own issues with. The core idea is that any meeting between Trump and Putin, especially one without the presence of Ukrainian representatives, is essentially a win for the Kremlin. It lends Putin legitimacy on the world stage, regardless of any specific outcomes or agreements.
The underlying concern is that Trump is easily manipulated by Putin. His history of praising Putin, even in the face of aggressive actions, speaks volumes. Remember Trump’s early comments on the invasion? Praising Putin’s “smart” moves in “taking over a country”? It set the stage for what many fear – that Trump is predisposed to siding with Putin, or at the very least, not standing up to him effectively.
Furthermore, Trump’s track record of isolating allies and cozying up to adversaries is a major cause for concern. His willingness to criticize and sanction other countries while remaining hesitant to take similar actions against Russia is seen as a dangerous imbalance. This perceived bias only serves to embolden Putin and weaken the US’s position on the world stage.
This potential summit is viewed as a continuation of a pattern, and a possible distraction. The focus might shift away from holding Russia accountable for the war in Ukraine. The fear is that the summit could legitimize Putin’s actions, allow him to portray himself as a world leader, and even push for concessions from Ukraine.
The fact that a meeting is even being considered is problematic. It’s not just about the optics of a meeting, but also about the potential for damaging outcomes. Sanctions could be relaxed, support for Ukraine might be scaled back, and the US’s alliances could be further frayed. It’s seen as a betrayal of American and Ukrainian interests.
The argument has been made that Trump is easily played. The implication is that Putin understands Trump’s insecurities and will leverage them to achieve his own objectives. There’s a belief that the summit could involve exchanges of favors, with Trump potentially providing concessions to Putin.
The discussion also touches on the potential for Trump to blame Ukraine for the conflict. This could lead to a reduction in US support, which would be a devastating blow to Ukraine’s defense efforts and a huge win for Putin.
The conversation suggests the summit is not about resolving the conflict. It’s seen as a PR exercise for Putin, designed to boost his image and create the illusion of international cooperation, while potentially undermining Ukraine’s position.
The underlying concern here is that this summit will not only fail to advance peace but will actively work against it, creating an environment in which Russia can continue its aggression and the US’s international reputation suffers. The summit is perceived as a gift to Putin and a setback for Ukraine, America, and the values that these nations stand for.