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Lulu KC

(2,561 posts)
Wed Sep 25, 2019, 12:24 PM Sep 2019

Basic question about Ukraine and Russian Federation: What does Putin think?

I did a good job of keeping up during the days of the Mueller investigation, but find myself stumped by a basic thing as I read the transcript this morning.

ZELENSKIY is talking about how much he wishes Germany and France would do a better job of enforcing sanctions against the Russian Federation.

TRUMP is talking about how very helpful the US has been to Ukraine.

However, one of the driving forces behind the Trump Tower meeting and so many other things has been Trump's desire NOT to enforce sanctions against RF. (For fascinating background on all of that, I cannot over-recommend Bill Browder, btw.)

So in addition to everything else that is going on within the U.S., it appears to me that DT is also trying to play both Ukraine and RT. With a quick review of the Google, I'm finding no indication that Putin and Zelenskiy are actually friends.

Thoughts?

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Basic question about Ukraine and Russian Federation: What does Putin think? (Original Post) Lulu KC Sep 2019 OP
He likes anything that throws a wrench in Western European or US power underpants Sep 2019 #1
Putin thinks that Ukraine is rightfully part of Russia... Wounded Bear Sep 2019 #2
Right-- Lulu KC Sep 2019 #3
Probably wants a Trump Tower in Kiev... Wounded Bear Sep 2019 #4
Natasha Bertrand is on it Lulu KC Sep 2019 #5
And from the ground in Ukraine Lulu KC Sep 2019 #6

underpants

(182,632 posts)
1. He likes anything that throws a wrench in Western European or US power
Wed Sep 25, 2019, 12:28 PM
Sep 2019

Trump
Brexit
The 2016 election
This

Wounded Bear

(58,605 posts)
2. Putin thinks that Ukraine is rightfully part of Russia...
Wed Sep 25, 2019, 12:30 PM
Sep 2019

it's actually a common Russian thought based on history, as Ukr was a part of Russian and then the USSR for many years prior to the 1990's.

Lulu KC

(2,561 posts)
3. Right--
Wed Sep 25, 2019, 12:32 PM
Sep 2019

So why is Trump being so friendly with Zelenskiy to begin with? All the work that Manafort et al did was with people in Ukraine who were actually working on the inside to bring it down for the benefit of Russia. That's the part that I think has changed with the election of Zelenskiy.

Wounded Bear

(58,605 posts)
4. Probably wants a Trump Tower in Kiev...
Wed Sep 25, 2019, 12:35 PM
Sep 2019

or...he is still working with Russian interests within Ukr to help Putin.

Lulu KC

(2,561 posts)
5. Natasha Bertrand is on it
Wed Sep 25, 2019, 01:09 PM
Sep 2019

So if you're curious, check her out on Twitter.


Natasha Bertrand
@NatashaBertrand
So what did Trump and Putin discuss 6 days after the call with Zelensky?
(The WH only acknowledged that Trump made the call after the Russians provided a short readout.)
12:05 PM · Sep 25, 2019·Twitter Web App

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