When Putin Comes to Alaska

[Gunnar]

When Putin comes to Alaska to meet with Trump, I wonder what would happen if he was detained and arrested for being the war criminal that he is. He is clearly guilty of that. He really deserves to be arrested for that any time he steps out of Russia to another country. I know that isn't going to happen, but I wish we could pull that off somehow, but, of course, Trump would never go for it. In fact, he would almost certainly offer Putin asylum if he were ever deposed and threatened with just prosecution for his very real crimes.

[Gunnar]

Maddow Blog | How Trump handed Putin a win in Alaska, even before they shook hands

Donald Trump apparently saw John Bolton, his former White House national security adviser, tell a national television audience this week that Russia’s Vladimir Putin has “already won” ahead of the bilateral summit in Alaska.

The American president was not pleased. “What’s that all about?” the Republican wrote to his social media platform. “We are winning on EVERYTHING.” (Trump went on to reference “Leningrad” in his missive, despite the fact that St. Petersburg hasn’t been called that since 1991.)

Of course, it’s difficult to take seriously the suggestion that the administration is “winning on everything,” given how badly it’s struggling on multiple fronts, but if he’s genuinely confused as to why Bolton and others have argued that Putin has “already won” ahead of the meeting near Anchorage, it’s really not that complicated. The New York Times reported:

The Times quoted one speaker on a Kremlin-controlled television program who told viewers, “Putin’s visit to the U.S.A. means the total collapse of the whole concept of isolating Russia. Total collapse.” Another pro-war Russian political scientist added that for Moscow, the summit is “a breakthrough even if they don’t agree on much.”

It’s hardly an outlandish point. Trump publicly declared earlier this month that if Putin didn’t agree to end its war in Ukraine by Friday, Aug. 8, the White House “would have no other choice” but to impose new economic sanctions. The American president had made similar threats before, and he failed to follow through in each instance. But the public was told that he meant it this time.

He did not mean it this time. After Putin ignored the threat, Trump announced that he’d welcome the Russia dictator to American soil — a move NBC News described as “a huge win” for Putin and “a diplomatic coup.”

Just days earlier, the official White House line was that Trump was willing to meet with the Russian leader, but only if Putin agreed to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This, like Trump’s sanctions threats, proved to be about as meaningful as the Republican’s campaign promises about ending the war “in 24 hours.”

Indeed, whether the American president understands this or not, he’s handed Putin a victory before they even shake hands, by giving the Russian exactly what he’s wanted all year: a face-to-face meeting with Trump, elevating his legitimacy after years of pariah status.

The White House gave him this, not after extensive negotiations that forced Putin to make some modest concessions, but in exchange for nothing.

This came on the heels of a series of related developments that were likely celebrated in Moscow in recent months.

The Trump administration halted cyber operations and information operations against Russia.
The Trump administration halted work on a coordinated effort to counter Russian sabotage efforts.
The Trump administration agreed to help Russia sell its grain and fertilizer on the world market.
Trump upbraided Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office while peddling Kremlin-style talking points.
Trump blamed Ukraine for starting the war that Russia started.
Trump suggested Vladimir Putin was a victim of the 2016 Russia scandal.
Trump said he would reward Russia by welcoming it back into the G7.
The Trump administration disbanded the FBI’s Foreign Influence Task Force.
The Trump administration pared back enforcement of the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
The Trump administration disbanded the Justice Department’s program responsible for enforcing Russian sanctions and targeting oligarchs close to the Kremlin.
The Trump administration slashed the U.S. Agency for International Development, to the delight of Moscow.
The Trump administration targeted U.S. intelligence officials as part of its mass firing campaign.
Trump’s delegation to the United Nations voted with Russia — and against U.S. allies — on a resolution condemning Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Trump reassigned the White House’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia after Putin let U.S. officials know that he did not approve of Trump’s choice.
Trump repeatedly threatened to impose sanctions on Russia, only to back off in every instance.
If the Republican is genuinely baffled as to why he’s handed Putin yet another win, he’s not paying close enough attention.

This post updates our related earlier coverage.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com

[canpakes]

Trump has equipped himself appropriately for his meeting with Putin.

[Gunnar]

Trump has equipped himself appropriately for his meeting with Putin.

Excellent analogy! I wish more of his base could see the reality of that!

[Gunnar]

Well, it appears that the Putin Trump summit meeting is over and that we are no closer to peace in Ukraine than before, according to all available indications so far.

[Jersey Girl]

Just watched a video of them greeting each other. These two psychopaths need to get a room. Preferrably one with iron bars for a door. Bernie Sanders is knocking himself out fighting for democracy while they were up there in Alaska having a taxpayer funded dictator date night.

Here's the video. 6 minutes. It's the new psych channel I found and posted about.

Trump Welcomes Putin To Alaska Like An Old Pal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxJGFvzMmno

[Gunnar]

Trump RUNS OFF STAGE after DISASTER Putin Presser

Even Fox News admitted, in effect, that the conference was disastrous and humiliating for Trump. Not only was no deal struck to end the conflict and the killing in Ukraine, but Ukraine was also being bombed by Russian forces as the conference was in progress. Putin gave no concessions nor even any hint of concessions or a cease fire. Putin came and showed his face to the media, humiliated Trump, and then left without taking any questions from the media and went back to his plane. Lavrov came there wearing a CCCP (USSR) t-shirt, thus clearly and insultingly advertising their intention to restore the former USSR to its former glory and power. It was the most embarrassing international confrontation ever for a U.S. President!

Some comments from the comments section:

Putin agreed to this meeting solely to embarrass Trump and make him look like an obedient little puppy. Mission accomplished.

Putin played Trump like a fiddle. Good job, Trump. You confirmed for us that you are weak, incompetent and a failure.

It's not just embarrassing to have such a stupid leader, it's also dangerous.

Trump at his finest. World's #1 clown.

Trump should go to Moscow (and stay there).

See also: BREAKING: Trump dealt ULTIMATE humiliation on global stage | Another Day

A war criminal meets a convicted felon to decide the fate of an innocent country. Absolutely disgusting!

[Jersey Girl]

Gunnar. Am I mistaken or couldn't Trump have had Putin arrested and extradited to Netherlands (?) at that meeting? And if so, do you suppose the war in Ukraine would have at least temporarily come to a grinding halt? In other words Trump could have ended the war (perhaps not permanently) right then and there. Am I crazy to think that? It's okay if you say yes. I don't doubt my own crazy at this point.

[Jersey Girl]

Trump RUNS OFF STAGE after DISASTER Putin Presser

Even Fox News admitted, in effect, that the conference was disastrous and humiliating for Trump. Not only was no deal struck to end the conflict and the killing in Ukraine, but Ukraine was also being bombed by Russian forces as the conference was in progress. Putin gave no concessions nor even any hint of concessions or a cease fire. Putin came and showed his face to the media, humiliated Trump, and then left without taking any questions from the media and went back to his plane. Lavrov came there wearing a CCCP (USSR) t-shirt, thus clearly and insultingly advertising their intention to restore the former USSR to its former glory and power. It was the most embarrassing international confrontation ever for a U.S. President!

Some comments from the comments section:

Putin agreed to this meeting solely to embarrass Trump and make him look like an obedient little puppy. Mission accomplished.

Putin played Trump like a fiddle. Good job, Trump. You confirmed for us that you are weak, incompetent and a failure.

It's not just embarrassing to have such a stupid leader, it's also dangerous.

Trump at his finest. World's #1 clown.

Trump should go to Moscow (and stay there).

See also: BREAKING: Trump dealt ULTIMATE humiliation on global stage | Another Day

A war criminal meets a convicted felon to decide the fate of an innocent country. Absolutely disgusting!

Almost done viewing the video at your link. My God, Trump is so outclassed by Putin it's absolutely stunning. Trump is up there winging his way through it (winging being code for BS-ing) then Putin starts talking (his version of) history then ties his statements to Alaska and Trump hasn't got a clue that Putin's issuing a thinly veiled threat against the United States. In other words, common history and heritage just like Ukraine that he invaded. Trump is a total incompetent in every way possible. He has no foundation from which to function in any capacity much less function as President. What a world class joke!

Playing Trump like a fiddle, indeed! Is Trump going to rave about FOX being fake news now? He's only got so many tools in his little narcissistic tool belt. Hoax, witch hunt, fake news...wash, rinse, repeat. We're less than a year in and we're already in deep scheise.

[Gunnar]

Gunnar. Am I mistaken or couldn't Trump have had Putin arrested and extradited to Netherlands (?) at that meeting? And if so, do you suppose the war in Ukraine would have at least temporarily come to a grinding halt? In other words Trump could have ended the war (perhaps not permanently) right then and there. Am I crazy to think that? It's okay if you say yes. I don't doubt my own crazy at this point.

It's entertaining to speculate on what would have happened had Trump had the nerve to do that isn't it? I suspect that under international law Trump would have been justified in doing that, but could he have gotten away with it without Russia starting a nuclear war in retaliation? Putin isn't the only Russian leader who believes Russia has the moral right to conquer all the former soviet republics of the USSR and force them accept Russian hegemony again. If I am not mistaken, though, Putin doesn't go anywhere without a very formidable, well-armed and well-trained security contingent, who would not be easy to defeat. Is it likely that Trump's own secret service detail would have been able to defeat them? I don't know. The U.S. military personnel stationed at or near Elmendorf AFB would probably be numerous and well-armed enough, though, to defeat any armed personnel Putin would likely have brought with him if Trump had decided to arrest Putin as you suggested. Who knows? if that had happened, there might be rivals to Putin back in Russia happy to see him removed from power and who also realized the stupid folly of his horrendously expensive invasion of Ukraine.

On the other hand, had anyone other than Donald Trump been President, I doubt Putin would have dared to come on to American soil to negotiate with said President, knowing that he had been declared a war criminal by an international tribunal and could be potentially detained and sent to be tried by the world court.