It Was in Fact, Just another Nothingburger, Perhaps Even Just a Puckburger

I was pleasantly surprised that it actually turned out that way. You know I’m talking about the latest Trump-Putin conversation of course.

‘Outcome of Putin-Trump call exceeds skeptics’ expectations, expert says’ – TASS – March 19, 2025

It is difficult to understand how an invitation to a contest over a small piece of vulcanised rubber could generate so much subdued excitement. Better than a contest over nukes I guess. Although it does appear that Trump was so underwhelmed by the meeting that he needed to resort to the ‘This could turn into a Third World War’ vent of frustration. He actually achieved nothing.

‘Conflict in Ukraine can lead to World War Three —Trump’ – TASS – March 19, 2025

In fact, if I were to tally all the points, I believe Mr Putin emerged clearly in pole position for the next round (keeping to the ‘Sports’ theme). He actually gave away nothing, while managing to ruffle Trump’s feathers just a little bit. Quite a clever achievement to not overly embarrass the elderly dealer, who is desperately trying not to overreact, since he has things he wants from Russia, which he can’t otherwise hope to get his hands on (like metals and stuff) if he messes up.

And Mr Putin, who has nothing he plans to give away – because he doesn’t need to – has happily told Trump he is in favour of a 30 day cessation of infrastructure attacks since he never carries out such attacks more frequently than that anyway. Except when he knows there are rats infesting a building, which he then kindly destroys as a favour to prevent the vermin from spreading. It’s a kind of brotherly thing to do.

Mr Trump goes away now, muttering expletives under his breath, to plan his next move. Though he can’t let his displeasure be known. Meanwhile, Mr Putin and his top-of-the-heap military forces can continue to confound the forces of the evil Mr Zee on the road to achieving everything he now needs to do to ensure peace, real peace, for all. Zaporozhye, Dnepropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Odessa, Sumy, Kharkov, (names may vary) here they come.

The only other point worth discussing is ‘why the specific mention of peace in Black Sea, virtually in the same breath as Odessa?’ I just raise the question. It is not a subject for discussion here.

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It Was in Fact, Just another Nothingburger, Perhaps Even Just a Puckburger

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