As though we needed a further reminder, Vladimir Putin has said it again.

Following an announcement by French President Emmanuel Macron that 26 of Ukraine’s allies had formally committed to providing post-war security by deploying defensive troops to Ukraine “on the ground, at sea, or in the air,” Putin responded with this warning:

“If any troops appear there, especially now while fighting is ongoing, we assume that they will be legitimate targets.” [RFE/RL, September 5, 2025.]

He added — despite all evidence to the contrary — that he was ready to meet with Ukrainian President Zelensky, but said:

. . . “but I do not see much point. Why? Because it is nearly impossible to reach agreement with the Ukrainian side on key issues.” [Paul Kirby, BBC, September 5, 2025.]

In other words, it’s not going to happen. And of course, it’s Ukraine’s fault.

Then his ever-present spokesman, Dmitry Peskov — while praising Donald Trump’s “very constructive efforts” to find a solution to the standoff — added his two cents’ worth of double-speak by reiterating the Kremlin’s most recent claim concerning “the outrageous efforts of European countries to provoke continuation of the war.” [Id.]

Since the Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska last month, Trump has continued to issue half-hearted threats of sanctions and other unspecified actions against Russia for its continued refusal to enter into serious negotiations. Yet he does nothing, merely offering ambiguous pledges that “something” will be done “soon.”

And Putin has reacted to the strengthening stance of the European “Coalition of the Willing” by shifting the target of his accusations and threats of reprisals from the U.S. to Ukraine’s European allies.

Is it my imagination, or do Messrs. Putin and Trump seem to be more in sync since their little confab in Anchorage . . . each stalling so that the burden now falls on the Coalition?

I only hope I live long enough to see how it all turns out.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
9/6/25