A refresher for all those who think Putin never would've invaded if Trump were still President. Bull

[demmiblue]

A refresher for all those who think Putin never would’ve invaded if Trump were still President. Bullshit. Nobody was softer on Russia than Trump. Trump spent 4 yrs attacking Ukraine. Trump laid the groundwork for this invasion. Putin wanted Trump to win a 2nd term. Thread: 1/

Trump repeatedly praised Putin.
Trump hired a pro Russian criminal to run his campaign.
Trump said it was good Russia invaded Crimea.
Trump made the 2016 GOP platform anti-Ukraine.
Trump repeatedly dismissed Russian hacking.
Trump capitalized on Russian meddling in 2016.
2/

Trump denied Russian interference in 2016.
Trump undermined Russian sanctions.
Trump was open to lifting sanctions.
Trump would never say Putin was a killer.
Trump tried to return spy bases to Russia.
Trump gave Russia classified intel.
Trump repeatedly attacked NATO.
3/

Trump had to be forced into signing new Russian sanctions.
Trump pushed for a joint cyber security unit with Russia.
Trump thanked Putin for expelling US diplomats from Russia.
Trump eased sanctions on Putin’s top oligarchs.
Trump congratulated Putin on his sham election.
4/

Trump tried to rescind sanctions on Russia for poisoning a defector.
Trump blocked a US statement condemning Russia’s invasion of Georgia.
Trump repeatedly praised far-right pro Russian leaders in Europe.
Trump refused to condemn Russia’s 2018 attack on Ukraine’s military.
5/

Trump defended Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
Trump pushed to let Russia in the G-7.
Trump gave Syria to Russia.
Trump echoed Russian talking points on ISIS.
Trump spread Russian lies about Ukraine.
Trump froze US aid to Ukraine.
Trump smeared US Ambassador to Ukraine.
6/

Trump tried to visit Putin on Russian soil.
Trump gave Putin a PR victory on Covid.
Trump invited Putin to 2020 G-7 Summit.
Trump ordered CIA to share Intel with Russia.
Trump ignored warnings of Russian bounties on our soldiers.
Trump called Russian bounty story a “hoax.”
7/

Trump never raised Russian bounties with Putin.
Trump ordered US troops out of Germany.

It’s as if Trump worked for Putin.
8/
google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.…

Link to tweet

[empedocles]

1. Why wouldn't putin invade on the WHtrump watch?

[Walleye]

2. He didn't need to invade, Trump wrapped up Ukraine with a bow and handed it to him

[empedocles]

4. Almost. However, trump didn't get rid of the pesky President Zelenskyy and party

[Walleye]

7. He was waiting for his second term. I'm sure he made a deal with Putin

After all Putin got him elected the first time, no reason to think he couldn’t do it again. Trump was all set to award him the entire country of Ukraine as compensation for getting him reelected. I’m sure of it

[BeyondGeography]

3. This was always going to be a post-2020 thing

Two reasons:

1. SOCCER!

No one mentions this, but it’s undeniably true. Russia hosted the World Cup in the summer of 2018. Successfully. I might add. The World Cup audience makes the Super Bowl look like an exhibition baseball game. Vlad wasn’t going to do anything to torpedo that. The World Cup pushed any invasion deeper into Trump’s first term, which leads to reason #2.

2. Trump 2020

Vlad didn’t want to do anything to hinder Trump’s re-election, which looked like a very good bet before COVID. Apart from the pandemic, it’s hard to imagine a bigger unscheduled political problem for Trump than compelling him to do exactly what he is doing now, supporting an unlawful and heinous invasion of Ukraine and sucking up to Putin yet again.

Vlad was going in either way after our election and he would have much rather had Trump in the Oval Office than Biden, as if it needs to be said.

[empedocles]

5. Good reasons. TY

[Beastly Boy]

6. "It's as if Trump worked for Putin." This is the reason Putin wouldn't have had to invade.

If Trump would have been in charge, there would be no need for an invasion. Putin and Trump would have simply agreed to divide Europe into spheres of influence, with the lion's share going to Putin. The rewards for Putin would have been far greater than taking Ukraine over.

I suspect this was Putin's Plan A. It fell apart on Jan 6. He is now implementing his Plan B, which involves a military invasion of Ukraine.

[empedocles]

8. It's as if putin has extremely serious kompromat on trump. trump always tried

very, very hard, to project a 'powerful, masterful, appearance' everywhere, Always it seemed, - except near putin.
Certainly, his staffers. etc., would note to trump that trump needs to appear stronger near putin.

Yet it seems that trump always seems so overwhelming weak near putin - trump can't help himself..

Might be extremely serious putin kompromat on trump.

[Beastly Boy]

9. That would have strengthen Putin's hand if his Plan A worked.

But regardless of kompromat, Putin would have gained a hell of a lot more and a hell of a lot faster were Trump in power for the second term.