Russigate’s Role in Trump-Putin Relations

Only when one reads multiple accounts on an issue one will find the morsels which reveal underlying issues and motives.

Of current interests are the psychological factors in the negotiations between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. That is why I read pieces like this:

Trump on Putin: ‘I don’t think he’s going to go back on his word’ – Politico, Mar 30 2025

President Donald Trump said Sunday he basically trusts Russian President Vladimir Putin to do the right thing as he attempts to hash out a peace deal in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump said of Putin: “I don’t think he’s going to go back on his word. You’re talking about Putin. I don’t think he’s going to go back on his word. I’ve known him for a long time. We’ve always gotten along well.”

Trump’s words seemed to be a softening of his language earlier Sunday.

Saying he was “pissed off,” Trump had been critical of Putin in an interview with Kristen Welker of NBC. “If Russia and I are unable to make a deal on stopping the bloodshed in Ukraine, and if I think it was Russia’s fault — which it might not be — but if I think it was Russia’s fault, I am going to put secondary tariffs on oil, on all oil coming out of Russia,” Trump said.

Previously I had read an ABCnews take that was a bit more extensive:

President Donald Trump on Sunday hinted at his apparent frustration with the lack of progress toward a peace deal in Ukraine, telling NBC News he was “very angry” at Putin after the Russian leader again criticized Zelenskyy and called for his removal in favor of a transitional government.

Trump added that he would consider applying new sanctions on Russia’s lucrative oil exports and on any nations purchasing its oil. China and India are among the most significant customers for Russian oil products.

The president later told reporters on Air Force One that his administration was making significant progress toward ending the war. Asked about his relationship with Putin, Trump responded, “I don’t think he’s going to go back on his word.”

“I’ve known him for a long time,” Trump said. “We’ve always gotten along well despite the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax.”

Trump had previously allured to the Russiagate hoax when talking about Putin. He seems to see Putin as a victim of the scam just like he himself was a victim of it. I believe this to be, at least in Trump’s eyes, an issue that bonds the two men together. It is what makes a deal possible. It is important – so I wonder why Politico would leave it out.

The AP report of the Air Force One gaggle also has no mention of it:

On his flight back to Washington on Sunday evening, Trump reiterated his annoyance toward Putin but somewhat softened his tone.

“I don’t think he’s going to go back on his word,” he said. “I’ve known him for a long time. We’ve always gotten along well.”

Asked when he wanted Russia to agree to a ceasefire, Trump said there was a “psychological deadline.”

“If I think they’re tapping us along, I will not be happy about it,” he said.

When reports disagree on what was said or happened it is always good to back to the source. Forbes has put up a full video of Sunday’s Air Force One gaggle. Here is my transcript of the relevant part (starting at 6:38 min):

Q: Would you say your relationship with Vladimir Putin is at its lowest point right now?

A: No, I don’t think so. I don’t think he going back on his word. You are talking about Putin. I don’t think he is going back on his word. I have known him for a long time. We have always gotten along well. Despite the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax created by Clinton and Schiff and all these lunatics. And that really was a dangerous point. That was a very dangerous thing they did to this country. It was a pure, unadulterated scam, hoax. No, but I think he will be okay. Be if he isn’t …

I was disappointed in a certain way in some of the things he said over the last day or two having to do with Zelenski. Because he considers Zelenski not credible. He is supposed to make a deal with him whether you like him or don’t like him. So I wasn’t happy with that. But I think he is gonna be good. …

It is not only that Trump sees himself and Putin as victims of the Russiagate story. He does regard it as having been dangerous. To make (false) claims about political interference by another nuclear power needlessly could have led, and still could lead, to more serious altercations.

I find it interesting that Trump is thinking in these terms. He knows and fears what a real clash with Russia could lead to.

Why won’t the media relay that?

Reprinted with permission from Moon of Alabama.

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