Trump said he talked with Putin for 90 minutes, driving global benchmark crude oil prices at some point. So you can see where the market is going. They smelled it. What is Trump doing to both the Russians and Putin? He basically said: As far as we know, NATO is in Ukraine, you will be able to keep some territory. Who will let you negotiate the casino by saying I want to keep a portion of the land you need, even if you are going to go bankrupt, I will hire all the employees?
Healy: No, man, your slide card left and right.
Friedman: Exactly. So, basically, from Trump’s own perspective, it’s not a way to negotiate with preemptives. Also, to tell Zelensky and the EU about the leverage, “I get it, you guys stay at home.”
Healy: Tom, I really want to know that part of Trump and Vance’s worldview is actually history without repetition. If you have the right strong, then you can somehow ride a country like Germany, and if you have the right populist leaders, you can keep the cover for the truly dangerous neo-Nazi elements as long as you have it Each of you.
It feels like a method of command and control, but you know, you've covered more than 40 years of international relations. It feels like this story, if you just ignore history, then if you just believe that you are a god leader who can control events, you will end up controlling events in World War I.
You end up in a place where you really don't want to be.
Friedman: Well, there are three main leaders on the world stage who want to be lifelong presidents.
