Putin wasn't exactly operating on his own when he went into attack mode.
Although he miscalculated Ukraine's resistance, the seasonal mud, and was completely unaware that Russia's Defense Fund had been systematically looted, he also had some assurances from the GOP that the U.S., under Republican stewardship, would have Russia's back when it came time, using Ukraine as a launch pad, to claim back the former U.S.S.R. nations.
Trump was only a player in the original deal. It was actually the Republican Party (the GOP) who sold out America.
If you've ever heard the cautionary tale about "the best laid plans of men and mice . . . " this was one of those time. Everybody miscalculated. Everybody misjudged.
That is, everybody but the Biden Administration and NATO.
Which put Mr. Putin in the position of, one more time, relying on the GOP's strategic expertise to overcome their failure in 2020.
There's a lot of desperation on both ends.
I can hardly wait to see what Jack Smith's next move is going to be. I doubt if he's going to let this slide. Cannon isn't smart enough make her ruling bulletproof.
When President Biden wins this election, I'm rather hoping the Attorney General appoints another Special Counsel to investigate and charge Cannon with malfeasance. She's made a lot of mistakes from the git-go. That should keep her out of everybody's hair for a while.
Get them all on the stand under oath. Then let's see how fast Trump says "Judge who? Never met the lady." IOW, throws her under the bus.