[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Maru

I'm actually surprised by that. That "this" would be the issue, especially given that it's Trump here so not sure what some were expecting there.

Partisanship has become more American Wrestling meets social media echo chamber at the national level, so I don't think it's because of his lack of "decorum". The voices we're exposed to now simply just "go there" with no qualms and Americans themselves in general are less than apologetic when it comes to sharing of views.

I think it's partly that Democrats and Republicans will echo their political friends outside of the US in their contacts regarding international affairs. Trump is seen as "the Right", and so far it would seem Russia is closer to Trump has not politically just based on the fact he's put no substance or distance there to imply otherwise. They might as well be allies because that's how our politics has always locked itself down, ie each side never disses their friends, etc... it's very lockstep.

I think it's fair so many here are done with giving Ukraine inordinate amounts of money with no end in plain view, but the begging of mineral contracts would seem to keep us in the war, at least financially, as a way to do business and that runs counter to his other claims of getting us out.. so personally I think it's a mixture of not distancing ourselves from Russia, which effectively assists them, and seemingly trying to make deals with Ukraine that will likely keep us embedded in war.

Best case scenario (unlikely) he is concerned about upsetting Putin so that he keeps a hold of his card. It's fair to question his motives here because he is currently very hostile to so many of the entities that at least in the past would've been considered allies...

Good take Maru thank you