> Whether Trump is or isn't allied with Russia is immaterial if much of what he does is exactly the same as what he would do if he were.

If it’s immaterial there’s no reason to bring it up. But while Trump hasn’t been as hawkish on Russia as I’d like him to be, I’m not entirely sure that “much of what he does” - whatever that is - is to the benefit of Russia.

Signing the Lindsey Graham bill isn’t for the benefit of Russia. Nor was stopping shadowfleet tankers from Venezuela and Iran.

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301927-1927 6 hours ago | parent [-]

I agree with this. There was historical evidence like Trump traveling to Russia in the 1980s and buying a huge, very expensive anti-NATO ad in a newspaper after he returned.

Then, like Epstein, he had many Russian contacts who sometimes "overpaid" for some of his real estate.

But overall: He was always against Russia's "friend" Iran, delivered Javelins to Ukraine during his first term. He cancelled the INF treaty.

The "row" with Zelensky in the White House was theater. In the full footage Trump winks at Zelesnky before kicking him out and Zelensky smiles and puts a thumb up.

Ukraine support is by no means halted. The EU is forced to pay more for the US proxy war, but the US still plans and decides.

Then he attacked Iran, Russia's ally.

So watch what he does and not what he says. You could also say that his Russia friendliness was a cover for the real plans.

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everyone 5 hours ago | parent [-]

Ok, if its 4d chess then: Causing prolonged chaos in the middle-east, spiking oil prices to historical highs. Just when Russia (a petro state) desperately needed and economic shot in the arm.

	▲	ericmay 5 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Maybe it's not 4d chess and instead it's just regular chess and doing things like taking on Iran is just unfortunately something we have to do. > Just when Russia (a petro state) desperately needed and economic shot in the arm. Like when you say things like this it doesn't make any sense. Trump stopped Venezuelan support of shadow fleet tankers, he has increased sanctions on Russia, and you can certainly argue if you want that the Iran was isn't going according to Trump's plans (which is ego of course has a substantial impact) but Iran was providing military support to Russia and also helping them evade sanctions. So can you please point to the exact mechanism you are referring to that's giving Russia an economic shot in the arm? Because from what I can tell Russia isn't receiving any economic shots in the arm and instead is facing increased sanctions and better enforcement of those sanctions.