. . . the “dried-up old prune.”

Oops, no . . . sorry, Boss. Wrong news story.

*. *. *

In real news — the Trump-Putin match — the first round, based on currently available information, appears to be . . .

A TIE.

Following his much-anticipated, two-hour telephone meeting with Vladimir Putin, Trump announced:

“Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a Ceasefire and, more importantly, an END to the War. The conditions for that will be negotiated between the two parties, as it can only be, because they know details of a negotiation that nobody else would be aware of.” [Kit Mahere and Donald Judd, CNN, May 19, 2025.]

Saying that the “tone and spirit of the conversation were excellent,” he added in his post on Truth Social:

“Russia wants to do largescale TRADE with the United States when this catastrophic ‘bloodbath’ is over, and I agree. There is a tremendous opportunity for Russia to create massive amounts of jobs and wealth. Its potential is UNLIMITED.” He also said that Ukraine “can be a great beneficiary on Trade.” [Id.]

While at first face this would appear to be a win for Trump, merely by reason of Putin’s agreeing to undertake direct negotiations with Ukraine (though not specifically with President Zelensky), it only takes a reading of that last paragraph to see that both individuals — Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin — have worked out a means of getting exactly what most benefits them.

Trump, of course, claims bragging rights as the Great Negotiator: the only person in the world able to bring about the desired result.

Putin wins more time . . . time to stretch out the “negotiations” as long as he desires, without having agreed to an immediate ceasefire. His remarks to Russian media following the call indicated that it was “very substantive and quite frank,” and that “Moscow would prepare a memorandum with pre-conditions for a ceasefire.” [RFE/RL, May 19, 2025.]

And together they have opened the door to “TRADE” . . . which in turn implies a lifting of sanctions against Russia, and monetary benefit to both countries.

*. *. *

In short, while the call was certainly worth the long-distance roaming charges, I will hold off on any celebrations until we see what Putin’s “pre-conditions for a ceasefire” turn out to be. If it’s more of the same-old-same-old, then we’re back to square one. But if there are genuine offers of compromise . . . well, then — as Trump said:

“Let the process begin!”

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
5/19/25