He mocked Trump, then became one of his closest allies.
That turn bought Ukraine time and leverage. Trump backed deep strikes into Russia, let Kyiv build Patriot interceptors, and moved toward sanctions bill — Bret Stephens, NYT. 1/
Their relationship began with humiliation. In 2015, Trump gave out Graham’s phone number at a rally.
Graham answered by destroying the phone on video: blender, golf club, toaster oven, lighter fluid. 2/
Then came the turn. Graham went from brutal critic to loyal Senate friend. He said a round of golf showed him Trump was “funny as hell.” Stephens calls it a devil’s bargain — honesty traded for influence. 3/
Russian POW Maksim (born 2007): I joined the army and stayed. An order is an order. I only saw myself in the army. It is prestigious. It is beautiful. It is a source of pride to be a soldier.
Q: Your motivation was not material?
Maksim: No. 1/
Maksim: I was not interested in the war in Ukraine. I wanted to be a soldier for my country, for my state. But when the order came, I had taken an oath, like any citizen of my country. An order is an order. 2/
Maksim: People think, “It’s just a little war. It will end soon. I’ll sign a contract, make some money, and that’s it.” But in reality, you either come home in a body bag or end up in captivity. That’s all. 3/
Khodorkovsky [former Russian oligarch brought down by Putin]: Putin may decide NATO will not answer strike for strike.
In that case, he could hit logistics chains and transport hubs in Europe that feed supplies into Ukraine. As I remember, there are two major entry points.
1/
Khodorkovsky: I doubt the stories about camouflage nets and taking Kostiantynivka are for Trump. Trump does not care where Kostiantynivka is.
They are for Russians. Putin thinks Russians care about it. They don’t. They care that the war ends on Russia’s terms.
2/
Khodorkovsky: Trump may warn Putin that any strike beyond Ukraine will end badly. Poland would be hit first, and its diaspora matters in the U.S.
I think Trump will cover Poland. Putin won’t stop before spring, but by spring he may have to.