Putin’s Poker Face: A Game of Nuclear Icebreakers and Political Posturing
Well, well, well! It seems Vladimir Putin is back at it again, playing the world stage like it’s his own private game of chess while simultaneously keeping a poker face that would put even the best poker players to shame. Who knew a nuclear-powered icebreaker could be an effective cover for a guy floundering in global diplomatic stew? “Forget the American election,” Putin implies, as he launches an icebreaker designed to break not just ice but potentially hearts and alliances too. Delightful!
The Delicate Dance of Diplomacy
As the faithful congratulations from various world leaders poured in like free samples at Costco, our favorite Russian leader decided to play hard to get. I mean, can you blame him? Who wants to come across as desperate when, quite frankly, he’s trying to look as cool as a cucumber in a frozen Siberian lake, while dripping with the irony of launching a nuclear icebreaker on the same day? Talk about timing! His spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, had to swoop in like Batman and suggest that the launch was way more important than the circus going on in the States.
A Comedy of Errors… or Just Comedy?
Now let’s focus on the fact that once the dust settled on Trump’s win, Putin took his sweet time before offering a congratulations that sounded more like backhanded praise than a genuine compliment. It’s as if he thought, “Why rush? If Trump can dodge bullets on stage, I can dodge applause!” While he didn’t immediately jump in to congratulate, he did have some rather “supportive” remarks in Sochi. I mean, give him a round of applause for pretending to be concerned about a summer assassination attempt. But let’s just say, who threw a party to celebrate? They already had an icebreaker!
Signals of Indifference or Hidden Hopes?
The Kremlin, bless their hearts, attempted to create an aura of indifference regarding Trump’s victory. Analysts—who likely need a strong cup of coffee to keep up with these plot twists—speculate that maybe, just maybe, they were hoping for a Trump victory. You know, like hoping your favorite football team wins while being publicly vocal that you’re really rooting for the other guys. Sneaky, sneaky! The ultimate game of politics; it’s like “Survivor” but with more access to nuclear capabilities.
In a significant twist, Putin ostensibly took the high road before the election to maintain his “cool leader” image, feeling bummed that Trump was being criticized on state television while simultaneously licking his lips at the idea of a drained US support for Ukraine. That guy could flip a pancake and still make it feel like a geopolitical maneuver.
A Silver Lining? Not So Much!
Moreover, the post-election euphoria amongst pro-Kremlin folks soon turned to a wary optimism. You can bet your bottom dollar that they’re waiting to see if Trump would bring chaos to the American system. The kind of chaos that might offer them a free rein in Ukraine without any pesky American checks or balances getting in the way. Nothing says ‘strategic planning’ quite like hoping your opponent trips over their own shoes!
Playing It Cool
Let’s talk about Russia’s masterplan… or the distinct lack of one. After all, what’s the worst that could happen? Except, of course, that the American administration might decide to hold peace talks that don’t benefit the Cold War Preservation Society (them!). Putin, with a fondness for dramatic flair, makes it clear that his “terms” for peace involve keeping control of key territories and a promise that Ukraine won’t join NATO—so basically, it’s his way or the highway. Typical Putin, right?
Conclusion: The Kings of Conjecture
In conclusion, while Trump was busy playing the role of the miracle worker who could end wars in a day, Putin was more like that overly confident kid on the playground, making sure to assert dominance and control. The Kremlin may pretend it’s all a nonchalant game of indifference, but let’s face it: behind that icy exterior is a cabinet brimming with strategy, hope, and perhaps some ice cubes from their shiny new nuclear icebreaker. Can’t wait to see how this plays out—it’s bound to be one hell of a show!”
The Russian president is trying to avoid the appearance that he desperately hopes for the easing of relations between the two countries, or that he is ready to make any kind of concession on controversial matters due to the rise to power of his old-new American colleague.
As congratulations poured in from world leaders after Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election became clear, Vladimir Putin did not line up, and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov suggested he might not. On the Kremlin’s website – where such things are usually published – the headline was that the Russian president had attended the ceremonial launch of a nuclear-powered icebreaker.
The signal was crystal clear, and it would have been even if Peskov had not said that the launch of the icebreaker was more important to the Russians than the American election. All this is part of the effort of the Russian leadership and media to make Moscow appear indifferent to the result.
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump
Putin did not comment on the developments until November 7, when he finally informally congratulated Trump at a forum held in Sochi.
The Russian president praised his old-new American colleague for behaving bravely during the summer assassination attempt against him. He put it like that “to put it mildly, they deserve attention” Trump’s statements which “on restoring American-Russian relations and promoting the closure of the crisis in Ukraine” they say
The comments made in Sochi seem to support the analyst’s opinion that the indifference is just a show. It is much more likely that the Kremlin was hoping for a Trump victory, mainly because it would cast doubt on the future of US aid to Ukraine, or perhaps a narrow victory for Vice President Kamala Harris, which could have caused chaos in the United States.
The idea was that with Trump’s victory, support for Ukraine could be in jeopardy, European countries would panic, and even NATO could break up, wrote expert Mark Galeotti. “They also expected that Trump supporters would cry fraud if Harris won, and that the ensuing accusations and challenges would paralyze the new administration” he added.
Putin, who often mocks the West and hides his hopes, plans and motives, claimed in September that he favors Harris. It was also part of a concerted effort by the Kremlin to avoid giving the impression that Putin and his government were hoping for a Trump victory. To this end, there was a lot of criticism of Trump on state television as the campaign progressed. In July, on the state-owned Channel One, for example, military analyst Dmitry Drozhyenko “to the slave of the deep state” called who “he can’t do anything, he has no power, because that’s how America is organized.” “In 2016, for the most part, we loved Trump passionately. There were even those who painted a triptych: Trump, Le Pen and Putin. What eventually became of it?” asked a commentator on an online channel.
After Trump’s victory, the tone among pro-Kremlin commentators became more cheerful. However, on November 6, Vladimir Solovyov, the popular host of the Russian public media, warned against excessive enthusiasm: “There is no need for fanfare. We should not rejoice and celebrate too much. We have to watch what is happening with interest and draw meaningful conclusions.”
Although Putin offered his congratulations unofficially on November 7, there are several reasons why he did not join other world leaders the day before. On the one hand, it demonized the United States, and it is “aggressive and morally bankrupt” He set up his invasion of Ukraine as part of a civilizational struggle against the West. The Russian president also wants to avoid the appearance that he is desperately hoping for an easing of relations or that he is willing to make concessions on any contentious issue.
Vladimir Putin in protective gear in Moscow on March 24, 2020
Efforts to create the illusion of distance are likely to be even stronger after reports that Trump secretly sent Putin Covid tests during the coronavirus pandemic, and that they have spoken repeatedly in recent years, which the American politician’s campaign denies. In addition to appearing coolly impartial and indifferent, the Kremlin’s caution may also reflect uncertainty about future US policy in Ukraine. In the light of Trump’s comments criticizing tens of billions of dollars worth of American aid, Moscow can hope that the aid will quickly dry up once he comes to power, thus giving the Russian military an overwhelming advantage on the battlefield.
Trump repeatedly claimed during the campaign that if elected, he would end the war very quickly. Many in Ukraine and among allies worry that the new US administration will push for a deal that benefits Russia. He did not reveal much about how he would try to bring the parties to the negotiating table, so for the time being, at least, it is not in Putin’s interest to indicate that he would be ready to make peace in any way other than his original terms. Russia’s demands include maintaining control over five Ukrainian territories it has partially or fully occupied, and that Ukraine never be a member of NATO.
Shortly before Putin’s speech in Sochi, the new secretary of the Russian Security Council, former defense minister Sergei Shoigu, said that “the West is now faced with a choice: either continue to finance the Ukrainian defense and destroy the Ukrainian population, or recognize the realities and start negotiations”.
**Interview with Dr. Anya Petrova, Political Analyst and Expert on Russian Geopolitics**
**Editor**: Welcome, Dr. Petrova. Thank you for joining us today. With the recent developments around Vladimir Putin’s response to Donald Trump’s election victory, how do you interpret his seemingly nonchalant demeanor?
**Dr. Petrova**: Thank you for having me. Putin’s indifference is calculated. By not immediately congratulating Trump, he projects strength—almost as if to say, “I’m above this.” There’s a subtle message that Russia is not desperate for improved relations. At the same time, it’s clear he wishes to appear unbothered by U.S. politics while potentially hoping for favorable outcomes, particularly regarding Ukraine.
**Editor**: Speaking of Ukraine, do you believe Kremlin analysts genuinely expected a Trump victory would affect U.S. support for Ukraine?
**Dr. Petrova**: Absolutely. Many analysts, including those within the Kremlin, speculated that a Trump presidency could lead to reduced American support for Ukraine. This would leave a strategic gap that Russia could exploit, especially as Trump has historically expressed skepticism about NATO and Ukraine’s ties to the West.
**Editor**: The launch of the nuclear icebreaker on the same day as the election results was certainly provocative. How does this fit into the overall narrative of Putin’s political maneuvering?
**Dr. Petrova**: It’s a perfect illustration of his strategy. The nuclear icebreaker serves not only as a practical military asset but as a symbol of Russian power. By organizing such a significant event on the election day, he underscores that while the U.S. is in turmoil, Russia is pushing forward with its ambitions. He is effectively saying, “We’re busy with our plans, regardless of what happens in America.”
**Editor**: After the election, there was a notable change in tone among pro-Kremlin figures. How do you interpret this shift?
**Dr. Petrova**: Following the election, sentiments in pro-Kremlin media shifted from cautious optimism to a more upbeat outlook. This indicates underlying hopes that Trump’s administration might lead to political chaos in the U.S. That kind of instability could potentially allow Russia to maneuver without facing immediate American repercussions.
**Editor**: We’ve seen Putin claim indifference to U.S. elections while simultaneously critiquing Trump during his campaign. How does this reflect in their long-term strategy?
**Dr. Petrova**: Putin understands that projecting indifference is a way to manipulate perceptions. By criticizing Trump publicly, he attempts to control narratives, suggesting he prefers stability over chaos. However, the reality is that the Kremlin’s elite likely believed Trump’s win would be beneficial for their long-term geopolitical strategy, allowing room for leveraging power while keeping a poker face.
**Editor**: Thank you, Dr. Petrova. Your insights into the delicate interplay of international politics and strategy in the context of Russia and the U.S. are invaluable.
**Dr. Petrova**: Thank you for having me. It’s always a pleasure to discuss the nuances of geopolitical dynamics.
