Putin and the Gringoskis, First Principles

The first principle of any serious discussion with Russia and Vladimir Putin is that in the final analysis the United States can annihilate Russia, and they cannot destroy us back, no matter how hard the American Left tries to emasculate us.

Vladimir Putin is well aware of this, so any neogotiation with the United States is to test the will of American leadership. Putin already knows Trump is firm while “Sidesaddle” Barack Obama (see my prior Hot Take) was feckless and easy to manipulate. Any handshake agreement that will come out of this Helsinki “summit”, regardless of the theatre, will reflect that basic first principle, understood by both parties.