Mike McFaul: Putin Is Calling Trump’s Bluff, His Calculation Is He’ll Just Walk Away from Ukraine at Some Point

EXCERPT:

MCFAUL: “You know, President Trump, as he said in that tweet, that comment, I’ve always had a good relationship with Vladimir Putin. I think it’s important to remember that Putin’s never thought that about President Trump. When people try to appease him, when they treat him and they praise him, he sees that as signs of weakness, not strength. And I would say that’s true with all leaders for the last 25 years. And so, now he’s just calling his bluff. He’s like, you’re a tough guy on social media. You won’t do anything. And I think his calculation is President Trump will eventually walk away. He’ll stop providing assistance to Ukraine. And that’s exactly what Vladimir Putin wants, because he wants to continue this war. I don’t think he’s really interested in negotiating an end to this war.”