Take that, Putin!
It is said that Vladimir Putin is … unpleasant when he’s angry. I suspect there’s a lot of unpleasantness in the Kremlin these days. On June first more than 100 Ukrainian drones struck air bases deep inside Russia. Targets included nuclear-capable long-range bombers.
The massive destruction from Operation “Spiderweb” became evident almost as soon as it began. Reports from across several time zones in Russia — as far north as Murmansk above the Arctic Circle — revealed extensive damage to Russia’s air defenses and military infrastructure. As many as 40 warplanes were destroyed by Ukrainian drones, including several Tu-95 Russian heavy bombers.
It is being reported in the legacy media that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy didn’t inform the, ahem, “president” of the United States about Spiderweb because he doesn’t respect Trump. That’s almost certainly true. But I think there’s an even darker reason.
I think Zelenskyy believes, or at least was unwilling to take a chance, that Trump would have leaked it to Putin. I know that’s just speculation, but ten years ago I would have scoffed at such a preposterous proposition. Today it’s quite possible, and maybe even likely.
Trump, after all, is a psychopath and malignant narcissist who cares nothing for America or the American people. He’s only interested in power and money. Trump admires Putin. He despises Zelenskyy because Zelenskyy refused to announce (not open, just announce) an investigation into the Ukrainian business dealings of Joe Biden and his son Hunter. Trump famously tried to blackmail Zelenskyy, which led to Trump’s first impeachment.
So the idea that the Republican “president” of the United States could sell out to Russia by betraying an ally and Republicans would be okay with it positively beggars belief. But I think that would also be true. They’d find some way to frame it that would make Trump look like a hero. Jesse Waters would spin it somehow, and Republicans would parrot the spin. And if any Republicans are outraged by this speculation, tough shit. They’ve earned it.
So to Volodymyr Zelenskyy I say, “Congratulations Mr President. You have pulled off a brilliant operation.” To Trump I say, “Shove it up your ass.” To Putin I say, “Take that, Vladimir!”
Robert Harrington is an American expat living in Britain. He is a portrait painter.