The ink on the Israel-Gaza ceasefire treaty was barely dry when Donald Trump told the Israeli Knesset that he was ready to re-focus his attention on Russia and Ukraine.

With Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky scheduled to visit the Washington White House on Friday, Trump has once more expressed his disillusionment with his supposed good friend Vladimir Putin, telling reporters at the White House on Tuesday:

“I’m very disappointed, because Vladimir and I had a very good relationship. Probably still do. I don’t know why he continues with this war…. He could end it. He could end it quickly.” [RFE/RL, October 15, 2025.]

He doesn’t know why?!! Seriously??!!! Because if that’s true, then what the hell is he doing occupying the Oval Office?

But setting aside the absurdity of that remark, Washington and Moscow are now dealing with the issue of whether the U.S. will supply long-range, nuclear-capable Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine as requested by Zelensky. Trump has hinted that he might . . . or might not . . . accede to that request. And the Kremlin quickly responded with comments by spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who asked “What should the Russian Federation think? Just how should Russia react?” if a Tomahawk were detected coming their way.

Then — never one to miss an opportunity to exacerbate an already dangerous situation — Kremlin hawk extraordinaire Dmitry Medvedev added this on social media:

“How should Russia respond? Exactly! The delivery of these missiles could end badly for everyone. And first of all — for Trump himself.” [Harry Sekulich and Laura Gozzi, BBC, October 13, 2025.]

It’s difficult to assess how much of Medvedev’s rhetoric is Kremlin-approved, and how much is pure bluster. But as long-time Putin sidekick — he served as titular president for four years while Putin waited to be eligible to run again — and current Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council (Putin himself is Chairman), it seems unlikely that he would risk going against Putin’s wishes.

So, as we slide inexorably toward the end of another week, we’ll see what Trump comes up with after his meeting with Zelensky. Presumably there will be a follow-up call with Putin; and knowing Trump’s propensity for being influenced by the last person he spoke with, it will be interesting to see how often and how quickly he shifts gears this time.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
10/16/25