European Leader Calls Trump a ‘Russian Asset’

[j brown's body]

"Portugal’s president has branded President Donald Trump a “Russian asset,” blasting him for his tepid response to Moscow while Ukraine struggles against Russia’s invasion. Trump has wavered heavily in his public stance on the war that started when Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale assault on Ukraine over three years ago. While Trump has threatened Putin with higher sanctions and “severe consequences” if he presses on with the war, he has declined to follow through, often lashing out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky instead.

President Donald Trump rolled out the red carpet for Russian President Vladimir Putin when they met in Alaska for peace talks earlier this month. The Russian dictator, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court on war crime charges, has been banned from entering many European countries. ...After failing to secure a ceasefire from Putin at the red-carpet summit in Alaska earlier this month, Trump instead targeted Zelensky, claiming the Ukrainian leader “can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight.”

....The U.S. was long a steadfast supporter of Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, imposing sanctions on Russia after Putin annexed Crimea in 2014 and again following his full-scale invasion of the country. ...Shortly after Putin sent his forces into Ukraine in 2022, Trump praised the move as “genius” and “savvy.” And though he has slammed Russia’s nightly strikes on Ukrainian civilians, Trump has supported Russian peace proposals that would require Ukraine to cede its Donbas region. ...He has also echoed the Kremlin’s demands that Crimea’s annexation be recognized and that Ukraine remains out of NATO, while promising that the U.S. would help guarantee Ukraine’s security in any deal to end the war."

Link

He's belaboring the obvious.

 

[noonereal]

European Leader Calls Trump a ‘Russian Asset’

Duh

Only people that don't understand are the Red Hats.

Very appropriate color i might add for these traitors among us.

 

[lwf]

An "asset" can encompass anything from paid sleeper agent to useful idiot. My money is that he's closer to a useful idiot than anything else, though I wouldn't rule out Russia having some extortion leverage. That's what happens when you mistake tough rhetoric with actual personal strength, and you put someone with Donald Trump's extensive exploitable vulnerabilities in charge.

 

[Eriech]

Portugal, one of the 9 in NATO who are well less than the 2% GDP for defense, Russian assets all.

 

[SNOWFLAKE]

ON THE OTHER HAND.................... Europeans keep wringing their hands and "warning" Russia. While I think Trump is being an ass and is clearly hoping for a Russian win in Ukraine, nothing is stopping the likes of the UK, France, Germany and others from supplier deadlier arms to Ukraine, imposing even stronger sanctions on Russia (why do they need to wait on the US to do so?) and how about sending reinforcements to the front lines for a show of strength?
The US needs to be part of the deterrent and has the most power to subdue Putin, but given the US isn't there because of Trump, it's time the Europeans stop acting so damn helpless and get some balls.

 

[Roadvirus]

"Portugal’s president has branded President Donald Trump a “Russian asset,” blasting him for his tepid response to Moscow while Ukraine struggles against Russia’s invasion. Trump has wavered heavily in his public stance on the war that started when Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale assault on Ukraine over three years ago. While Trump has threatened Putin with higher sanctions and “severe consequences” if he presses on with the war, he has declined to follow through, often lashing out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky instead.

President Donald Trump rolled out the red carpet for Russian President Vladimir Putin when they met in Alaska for peace talks earlier this month. The Russian dictator, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court on war crime charges, has been banned from entering many European countries. ...After failing to secure a ceasefire from Putin at the red-carpet summit in Alaska earlier this month, Trump instead targeted Zelensky, claiming the Ukrainian leader “can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight.”

....The U.S. was long a steadfast supporter of Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, imposing sanctions on Russia after Putin annexed Crimea in 2014 and again following his full-scale invasion of the country. ...Shortly after Putin sent his forces into Ukraine in 2022, Trump praised the move as “genius” and “savvy.” And though he has slammed Russia’s nightly strikes on Ukrainian civilians, Trump has supported Russian peace proposals that would require Ukraine to cede its Donbas region. ...He has also echoed the Kremlin’s demands that Crimea’s annexation be recognized and that Ukraine remains out of NATO, while promising that the U.S. would help guarantee Ukraine’s security in any deal to end the war."

Link

He's belaboring the obvious.

I think we found which country is going to get hit with Trump's Tariffgeddon next.

 

[Bok Tuklo]

Portugal, one of the 9 in NATO who are well less than the 2% GDP for defense, Russian assets all.

BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO released data on Thursday showing that all its 32 members are projected to finally meet a longstanding goal of spending 2% of their overall economic output on defense this year, while only three meet a new goal set at 3.5% of GDP agreed in June.

A push for higher defense spending is one result of Russia’s war in Ukraine, which has created profound security concerns across Europe. It is also a reaction to pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly accused European allies of not investing enough in their own security. Trump has warned Europeans that Washington might not defend those who fail to meet commitments.

All 32 alliance members are expected to reach the 2% goal this year for the first time, marking a significant change since 2023, when just 10 allies met that benchmark, the NATO report said.

AP

 

[panic buyer]

"Portugal’s president has branded President Donald Trump a “Russian asset,” blasting him for his tepid response to Moscow while Ukraine struggles against Russia’s invasion. Trump has wavered heavily in his public stance on the war that started when Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale assault on Ukraine over three years ago. While Trump has threatened Putin with higher sanctions and “severe consequences” if he presses on with the war, he has declined to follow through, often lashing out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky instead.

President Donald Trump rolled out the red carpet for Russian President Vladimir Putin when they met in Alaska for peace talks earlier this month. The Russian dictator, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court on war crime charges, has been banned from entering many European countries. ...After failing to secure a ceasefire from Putin at the red-carpet summit in Alaska earlier this month, Trump instead targeted Zelensky, claiming the Ukrainian leader “can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight.”

....The U.S. was long a steadfast supporter of Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, imposing sanctions on Russia after Putin annexed Crimea in 2014 and again following his full-scale invasion of the country. ...Shortly after Putin sent his forces into Ukraine in 2022, Trump praised the move as “genius” and “savvy.” And though he has slammed Russia’s nightly strikes on Ukrainian civilians, Trump has supported Russian peace proposals that would require Ukraine to cede its Donbas region. ...He has also echoed the Kremlin’s demands that Crimea’s annexation be recognized and that Ukraine remains out of NATO, while promising that the U.S. would help guarantee Ukraine’s security in any deal to end the war."

Link

He's belaboring the obvious.

The only question is do the russans have drt on him or is he just weak.

 

[Eriech]

BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO released data on Thursday showing that all its 32 members are projected to finally meet a longstanding goal of spending 2% of their overall economic output on defense this year, while only three meet a new goal set at 3.5% of GDP agreed in June.

A push for higher defense spending is one result of Russia’s war in Ukraine, which has created profound security concerns across Europe. It is also a reaction to pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly accused European allies of not investing enough in their own security. Trump has warned Europeans that Washington might not defend those who fail to meet commitments.

All 32 alliance members are expected to reach the 2% goal this year for the first time, marking a significant change since 2023, when just 10 allies met that benchmark, the NATO report said.

AP

What has changed in 2025?

The war in Ukraine started 11 years ago if you include Crimea. Portugal has been well below 2%.

 

[PeteEU]

What has changed in 2025?

The war in Ukraine started 11 years ago if you include Crimea. Portugal has been well below 2%.

And? What threats do Portugal have? Not to mention the history of Portugal does exactly make massive military spending popular for anyone in the country.

 

[Eriech]

And? What threats do Portugal have? Not to mention the history of Portugal does exactly make massive military spending popular for anyone in the country.

Enough to feel the need to join NATO and receive the security benefit of membership while in arrears.

 

[PeteEU]

Enough to feel the need to join NATO

It's called the cold war...and that was 70+ years ago

and receive the security benefit of membership while in arrears.

Arrears? They paid their dues all the time and as far as I know on time.

Do you even know how NATO works?

 

[reinaert]

I think we found which country is going to get hit with Trump's Tariffgeddon next.

Their trade is not particularly American oriented. Everything I bought there seems sourced from Africa and South America.

 

[Eriech]

It's called the cold war...and that was 70+ years ago


Arrears? They paid their dues all the time and as far as I know on time.

Do you even know how NATO works?

The EU has done its level best to keep the war alive.
25% less for defense

 

[Evilroddy]

Trump certainly seems to act like he is a Russian asset but I have no evidence that he actually is onr. This may all be down to Mr. Trump being a Putin fanboy with no common sense or understanding of the damage he is doing.

Be well and be safe.
Evilroddy.

 

[german hick]

The EU has done its level best to keep the war alive.
25% less for defense

In one point you are right, before there was the russian challenge the orange man likes to support, Europeans did not like armamend to the bone. Now it seems necessary. But this topic is way too complex for you. I rather have a nice poem for you:

 

[Infinite Chaos]

nothing is stopping the likes of the UK, France, Germany and others from supplier deadlier arms to Ukraine,

We have been, we've helped with arms factories and things like the new Flamingo long range cruise missile. What specifically are you wanting? Nukes?

imposing even stronger sanctions on Russia (why do they need to wait on the US to do so?)

Individual European countries can and have. The EU has tried but remember we have Russia friendly assets like Orban and Fico in our midst voting against EU action as a whole.

how about sending reinforcements to the front lines for a show of strength?

That is being proposed as part of peace treaty. Putting troops out there now triggers the path to Article V if they get attacked.

The EU has done its level best to keep the war alive.
25% less for defense

The EU as a body has done well in supporting Ukraine, taking Ukrainian refugees in and trying to keep Ukraine holding that front line

 

[PeteEU]

The EU has done its level best to keep the war alive.
25% less for defense

What does the EU have to do with this? What war?

The EU has no "defense" budget (yet) as it has no military.

Again, do you understand how NATO works? You do understand that the NATO budget is 4.6 billion dollars right?

 

[Eriech]

What does the EU have to do with this? What war?

The EU has no "defense" budget (yet) as it has no military.

Again, do you understand how NATO works? You do understand that the NATO budget is 4.6 billion dollars right?

Cold war with Russia.

The GDP of Nato is similiar to the US. Collectively it should be spending 1 trillion toward member defense. Those like Portugal, along with other 9 habitual offenders, had other spending priorities than defense relying on others like the US.

The NATO budget is essentially a central admin tasked with herding very independant cats.

 

[panic buyer]

The EU has done its level best to keep the war alive.
25% less for defense

The EU is many different nations. Some of them support putin. I think it may be too complex for maga intellects.

 

[PeteEU]

Cold war with Russia.

The GDP of Nato is similiar to the US. Collectively it should be spending 1 trillion toward member defense.

Why on earth should European NATO member spend as much the US? NATO is for defending Europe, not being Israels and big oils bitch in the Middle East. And again, who the **** are we defending against now days? Russia? HAHAH, they cant defeat a freaking Ukranian farmer, let alone a solo European force that is over double their numbers. Hell the biggest threat these days to Europe is Trumpism and American fascism, and that might mean we will need the Russians ironically enough.

Those like Portugal, along with other 9 habitual offenders, had other spending priorities than defense relying on others like the US.

Relying on what? Portugal had a huge military budget up to the end of the cold war. Portugal was doing colonialism into the 1990s. It was in constant wars in the 1970s.

The NATO budget is essentially a central admin tasked with herding very independant cats.

Oh so you do understand a bit eh?

You also do understand the idea of % of a number that keeps growing right?

 

[Eriech]

The EU is many different nations. Some of them support putin. I think it may be too complex for maga intellects.

We finally got to the crux. Some do support Putin if by inaction if nothing else. Few are ready to be the guarantee for security. The war in Ukraine is in Europes back yard. Maybe Portugal's president is ready to move from back bench sniping.

 

[panic buyer]

We finally got to the crux. Some do support Putin if by inaction if nothing else. Few are ready to be the guarantee for security. The war in Ukraine is in Europes back yard. Maybe Portugal's president is ready to move from back bench sniping.

If the likes of orban wants his tongue up putins backside there is nothing the eu can do about that. Its not the United States of Europe. Nato is a whole other matter.

 

[Helix]

um