Bill Browder on Trump, Putin, and the Gaslighting of Ukraine

Trump's Tariffs and Ukraine Aid

• 🇺🇸 The US has invoked tariffs on approximately 15 countries, which is seen as unnecessary and unprovoked economic pain inflicted on allies.
• 📉 This move is expected to cause global economic disruption and negatively impact Europe, which is already facing an economic crisis.
• 💔 The US financial aid for Ukraine is expected to diminish or disappear, placing a greater burden on Europe to provide support.

US Policy Towards Russia and Putin

• 🚫 The US has lifted sanctions on key Russian figures, including Putin's envoy and the wife of an associate, without any reciprocal concessions from Russia.
• 🤝 This is seen as a special relationship between Putin and Trump, with Russia being carved out of global trade war measures.
• 🇷🇺 The US has the power to economically and militarily pressure Russia but has not used it, instead opting to lift sanctions.

Putin's Strategy and Gaslighting Tactics

• 🤥 Russia is accused of lying and engaging in "KGB rope-a-dope" tactics by proposing meetings and discussions without any genuine progress towards a ceasefire.
• 🗓️ Three weeks after Ukraine offered a unilateral ceasefire, Russia has not responded, instead focusing on other issues.
• 🗣️ Putin's rhetoric about needing to resolve conditions that led to the war is dismissed as a fabrication, with the sole cause being unadulterated Russian aggression.

The "Genocidal" Ultimatum to Ukrainians

• 🚩 Putin has issued a decree forcing Ukrainians in Russian-occupied territories to choose between becoming Russian citizens or facing punishment by September 10.
• 🇷🇺 This is described as "Russian genocide" of Ukrainians, aiming to forcibly assimilate them and justify Russia's claim over occupied territories.
• 🎭 This narrative is part of a subtle, long-term strategy to convince people that these regions should belong to Russia.

Trump's Alternative Reality and Putin's War Aims

• 🤥 Donald Trump is accused of bending the truth and presenting an alternative version of reality, unsupported by facts, similar to his portrayal of the January 6th events.
• 📈 Putin has no intention of ending the war and needs it to stay in power, using it to divert attention from domestic anger.
• ⚔️ Russia is fighting a war of attrition against Ukraine and the Western world, hoping to outlast support for Ukraine, especially with a potential shift in US policy under Trump.

US Obligations and Future Trust

• 📜 The US has a treaty obligation under the Budapest Memorandum to protect Ukraine's sovereignty after it gave up its nuclear weapons, an obligation that has not been met.
• 💔 The current proposals and disregard for past agreements are shameful and erode trust in future US commitments.
• 💡 Instead of boots on the ground, the US should triple down on military aid, lift restrictions on Ukraine striking Russian targets, and provide jets and missiles.