It’s still Monday, and already there is a new clue as to what to expect from Friday’s scheduled meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

At this morning’s White House press conference, Trump referred to the summit as a “feel-out meeting,” at which he would listen to what Putin has to say and — if the Russian leader offers a “fair deal” — pass that information along to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and to other allied European leaders.

He told reporters: “Probably in the first two minutes I’ll know exactly whether or not a deal can be made. Because that’s what I do, I make deals.” [BBC News, August 11, 2025.]

(So that’s the Donald Trump method: Diplomacy by the seat of his pants.)

Trump again talked about a possible “land swap,” saying there would be “some changes in land . . . for the good of Ukraine. Good stuff, not bad stuff.”

And then he added, “Also, some bad stuff for both.” [Id.]

(Well, which is it: good for Ukraine, or not?)

He also hinted that he might simply walk away from the conflict, saying, “I may leave and say good luck, that will be the end.” He said that he and European allies have “overdosed on the settlement of Ukraine,” and that the European leaders in particular are tired of the war: “They want to get back to building their own countries.” [Id.]

*. *. *

In other words, if the deal doesn’t go his way, he might just walk . . . and to hell with Ukraine. Does he think this is just another one of his real estate transactions, where he can simply cut his losses and move on to the next thing that catches his attention . . . like a military takeover of the District Of Columbia, or building a massive new ballroom for the White House, or refurbishing a Qatari plane as the next Air Force One?

In Trump’s world, it is clear that only one life matters . . . his!

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
8/11/25 – 1:15 p.m.