Trump slaps Putin in the face with a proposal to get a favor

UKRAINE - In Brief 23 Jan 2025 by Dmytro Boyarchuk

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That’s a nice way to kick off negotiations. Whether intentionally or not, Donald Trump’s post landed a direct blow to the very core of Russist ideology. For years, Russian ruler Vladimir Putin has cultivated a "victory cult" in Russian society, glorifying May 9th, Victory Day, and claiming publicly that it was Russia that single-handedly defeated the Nazis—and could win any new global war again if needed. Millions of ordinary Russians have eagerly embraced this narrative, proudly repeating the slogan ‘We can do it again’ (Можем повторить), which has become a symbol of their readiness to enter any new war around the globe. This cornerstone of Russist ideology has long served as a justification for the hardships endured by Russian society. Yes, Russians may live in misery, but they defeated Hitler, and they believe they can do it again. And now, the new U.S. president has referred to Russians merely as "helpers" to the U.S. in winning WWII. This isn’t just a humiliation—it’s a loud slap in the face for Putin, delivered with arrogance and in full public view. To make matters even worse for Putin, Trump made this remark as part of a public proposal for a peace deal. If I know anything about Russian values, Putin is now facing a real dilemma. He cannot accept such a proposal delivered in such a dominating manner (despite the internal hardships he is dealing with, let alone the goals of the "special military operation"), and he must respond aggressively to preserve his reputation within the framework of the Russist ideology he has been cultivating for over two decades. This creates a risk that Trump might react harshly if Putin refuses to yield or shows no willingness to acc...