As we step across the threshold into a new era in Europe and the world, could we just

[Atticus]

"circle back" to something we all know but may have let slide away into the recesses of what passes for our minds?

Since as far back as 2013, Donald Trump has literally WORSHIPPED Vladimir Putin. I will not bother to list the dozens and dozens of examples of his fawning compliments, his disloyal favoritism or other fanboy behavior. If you're really interested and you have a few hours to waste, just Google "Trump about Putin".

Contrary to what the right-wing blogs would have you believe, it was Trump's unjustified arrogance, weakness and incredible stupidity while he did little but strut and bluster for four years that was Putin's green light. The MAGA politicians who imply or outright state that President Biden is responsible for Putin's war crimes are simply falling back on their old standby technique: projection.

Putin put Trump in the White House and then failed to get him reinstalled. What we are seeing now is Vlad's hope that his tool managed to so divide us in his one term that his "Hail Mary" will succeed in Ukraine.

If he has not already accomplished it with his covid non-response, the invasion of Ukraine may make Trump responsible for more unnecessary deaths than any prior "president " in our history.

Never forget: Trump was "Putin's Poodle" for four years. Vlad is now finding out that Biden won't wear his collar.

[Irish_Dem]

1. It is all connected: Putin/Trump/GOP/Chaos/Division/War/Permanent Power/Vast Wealth.

Of course this is only my take from what passes as my mind.

[Dirty Socialist]

2. I sort of disagree

While it’s obviously true Trump fawned over Putin, I do think Biden is a major factor in Putin mobilizing troops on the Ukrainian border. Putin is now being belligerant out of weakness brought on by Biden not trying to fawn over him. That and Putin’s economy isn’t serving Russia well. He would attack from a position of weakness, like a trapped animal.

[zipplewrath]

5. It isn't clear

What Putin is up to, and what he thinks will be accomplished isn't clear. And it is a mistake to think that his plans will be successful. Biden, well his administration, has done an excellent job of undermining everything that Putin has been doing. They have struck an awesome balance between blocking him, and cornering him. They have called out every option of his before he could exercise it.

My concern is that he has a long term intent to occupy much of eastern Europe, not just the Ukraine. Somewhere along the line, NATO is going to be violated and it isn't clear how it will choose to react.

[TomSlick]

6. If Putin is not stopped now, he will eventually invade a NATO country.

At that point, the US either honors its obligations under Article 5 of the NATO treaty or NATO collapses. If NATO collapses, Putin's ambition will know no limit.

[Wounded Bear]

3. One small happiness: trump never got his trump Tower Moscow...

[Pantagruel]

4. Bigger picture

"We don't rely on American banks. We have all the funding we need out of Russia." -- Eric Trump

[roamer65]

7. FUCK PUTIN.