Subtle? Or Pathetically Unsubtle?

[ichkeria]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68303231

[Ken4155]

Reverse psychology. Drumming up support for his buddy Trump.

[Peter Pedant]

No ..... er

I thought everyone knew that Putin had said last time to Trump "give me a free hand in europe and I will make you the richest man in the  world"

and Trump had said: it;s a deal!

Trump has said: "Ukrainians speak Russian right? so they're Russian!" - which I thought meant he  would give Ukraine to Russia

[Peter Pedant]

the fella who poisoned an opponent on a plane

is now Mr SUbtle - I doubt it

[jno]

wot Ken said, not because Trump's his buddy exactly but because the more isolationist the USA is, the better for him.

[Untitled]

we all know that he prefers trump but he's not going to say that is he?

[ichkeria]

Plainly. I wondered tho from his point of view who he thinks he might be kidding?

[tomus42]

//I wondered tho from his point of view who he thinks he might be kidding?//

American voters, and it will probably work.

Putin would love nothing better than for Trump to be president again. Trump is his useful idiot.

[Hopkirk]

It's all politics 

[ichkeria]

From Putin's point of view he'd have been better saying nothing. 

[Old_Geezer]

"Trump is his useful idiot."

 

Whereas Biden isn't useful ?

[ichkeria]

At least Putin has the nous to see that backing Trump publicly would not be helpful to his man. But like I say, rather better not to draw attention to the fact.

[tomus42]

//Whereas Biden isn't useful //

Not to Putin. Biden doesn't want to stop all aid to Ukraine and withdraw the US from NATO.

[tomus42]

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/02/13/bolton-trump-2024-nato-00141160

In case you have any doubts about Trump's attitude to NATO, read the above. This is his former national security advisor.

[Old_Geezer]

I doubt Congress would permit it. Both sides would be well aware that the West needs to stick together even if the US are unhappy at some nations' commitment. To deliberately go for a 'US against the rest' unbalanced situation would be devastating to the US, not to mention former allies. His own party would likely be looking for whatever 'no confidence' legislation could be triggered.