Would Putin want to wait for Trump II after 2025 to make his big move?

[Patterson]

It seems like he would wait until closer to the election to determine Trump’s chances. If Trump looks weak, he would move. If Trump looks viable, he would wait a little longer and have smoother sailing with Trump’s help.

[TheRealNorth]

1. Not if he has a deal with the Republicans in-general....

Putting Biden in a bind would be advantageous to the Republicans.

Either Biden gets us involved in a war to protect Ukraine, which will not be popular with some people in both the R and D camp, or he let's Putin invade and only slaps sanctions, which the Republicans will attack him for being weak.

[Texaswitchy]

2. Well he owns enough Republicans.

Crappy either way.

[Patterson]

3. A lot of Republicans will pull for Putin because they hate Biden.

[stopdiggin]

4. I think the US Congress would insist on

extremely punitive sanctions regardless the WH occupant. And Trump has little influence on our allies and their actions (also bound to be fairly harsh). There might be advantages that I'm not taking into account - but I'm having a hard time seeing a big windfall for Putin here.