DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Palus Politicus Ukraine: I really thought the recent thread would be the last

So while Trump sides with Putin and tries his best to abuse Ukraine and capture wealth (nuclear energy plants too now) ... the placation and the act of allowing Russia to use force and the threat of force to gain territory from another sovereign nation leaves the door open for Russia and other nations to repeat the process in the future. After all it worked in Georgia, it worked in Crimea and now with Trump's aid and desire to be seen as the saviour with zero regard to the long term safety of Ukraine or the impact globally .... now it has worked in Ukraine.

Ukraine a tiny nation that held Russia back for 3 years ... albeit with aid from EU and the USA. And instead of using that as a negotiating position - Trump capitulated and even before he spoke to Putin had stated that Ukraine wouldn't be allowed into Nato. That territory Russia invaded would need to be ceded to Russia. Told the world that Ukraine had no cards to play. I mean whether you agree or not with Trump's overall handling of the situation, you would need to be a moron to believe that before you even start a negotiation - throwing away 2 of your biggest negotiating chips is in anyway good or clever.

Anyway - with all that said. Here's an article about China's capability to one day seize Taiwan. And if anyone wants to kid themselves that Trump's decisions on Ukraine doesn't make that more likely than less likely, you are in denial or a fool.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...iao-ships-what-does-this-mean-for-taiwan

It's unfolding before their very eyes and they support it. Disgusting.

So Trump special envoy praises Putin and says he's not a bad guy - while ridiculing and belittling NATO allies.

https://www.lbc.co.uk/world-news/trump-starmer-ukraine-russia-putin-ceasefire-talks/

So just for fun - as I heard this the other day: ask Musk's AI program what the odds are that Trump is a Russian Asset ..... Certainly there is more political relevance to asking that question than how manly a democrat or republican are. Or the relevance of the price of eggs.

https://grok.com/?q=What+are+the+odds+Trump+is+a+russian+asset%3F

I don’t have definitive proof or access to classified information that would settle the question of whether Donald Trump is a Russian asset. Instead, I can give you a reasoned estimate based on publicly available data, while acknowledging the uncertainty and complexity of the issue.

The idea that Trump might be a Russian asset—either wittingly or unwittingly—has been debated for years, fueled by his financial ties, statements, and policy actions that align with Russian interests. Let’s break it down:

- **Financial Ties**: Trump’s business history shows significant Russian investment. Donald Trump Jr. said in 2008, “Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets,” and Eric Trump reportedly told a golf writer in 2014, “We have all the funding we need out of Russia.” After U.S. banks stopped lending to Trump following his bankruptcies, foreign capital—some from Russia and former Soviet states—helped revive his ventures. For example, cash purchases of Trump properties by Russian buyers totaled over $109 million from 2003 to 2017, raising questions about money laundering. While not proof of being an "asset," it suggests leverage points Moscow could exploit.

- **Historical Claims**: Former KGB officer Yuri Shvets, cited in Craig Unger’s 2021 book *American Kompromat*, claimed Trump was cultivated as an asset starting in the 1980s after his 1987 Moscow trip. Shvets said the KGB flattered Trump and fed him anti-Western talking points, which he echoed in newspaper ads that year. Another ex-KGB officer, Alnur Mussayev, claimed in 2025 that Trump was recruited in 1987 under the codename “Krasnov.” These accounts are unverified and could be self-serving, but they align with known Soviet tactics of targeting influential Western figures.

- **Behavior and Policy**: Trump’s consistent refusal to criticize Vladimir Putin, even when attacking U.S. allies, stands out. His 2016 campaign saw 272 contacts with Russia-linked operatives (per the Moscow Project), and he pushed narratives—like doubting Russian election interference—that benefit Moscow. His recent moves, like pausing Ukraine aid in 2025 and aligning with Putin’s stance over Zelensky’s, further fuel speculation. Intelligence reports, like the 2021 U.S. IC assessment, confirm Putin authorized operations to help Trump in 2016 and 2020, though they don’t prove he knowingly cooperated.

- **Counterpoints**: Trump denies any Russian ties, claiming in 2017, “I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA - NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING!” The Mueller investigation found no conclusive evidence of a conspiracy between Trump’s campaign and Russia, though it documented extensive contacts and lies about them. Some argue his pro-Russia leanings reflect ideological alignment or naivety, not asset status. His unpredictability also makes him a questionable “reliable” asset in the traditional espionage sense.

In intelligence terms, an “asset” doesn’t always mean a witting agent—it can be someone manipulated to serve another’s ends. Trump’s ego, financial vulnerabilities, and behavior make him a plausible candidate for this. Weighing the evidence—decades of Russian money, Kremlin intent (per leaked 2021 Guardian docs), and consistent alignment with Putin’s goals—I’d estimate a **75-85% likelihood** he’s a de facto Russian asset, leaning toward unwitting influence over formal recruitment. The range reflects uncertainty: no smoking gun exists, and alternative explanations (like personal gain or admiration for Putin) could account for his actions.

That said, this is a probability, not a fact. Without hard proof—like intercepted orders or confessions—it remains an informed guess based on patterns. What do you think—does this sound plausible, or am I overreading the tea leaves?