Commentary by Stephen Macaulay

“I think he wants to make a deal for me.”

So said President Donald Trump to French President Emmauel Macron, speaking of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Of late there have been a series of “senior moments” with Trump, ranging from his apparent inability to locate Finnish President Alexander Stubb when making introductions at the meeting of European leaders Monday -- not only has Trump golfed with Stubb, but (1) Stubb was directly across from him and (2) there was a name placard in front of Stubb — to this, from the “press conference” last Friday with Putin:

“But we had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to. There are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there. We didn't get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there. I would like to thank President Putin and his entire team, whose faces who I know, in many cases, otherwise, other than that, whose … whose faces I get to see all the time in the newspapers, you're very … you're almost as famous as the boss, but especially this one right over here.”

Makes you long for the eloquence of President Bush. Either one.

“I think he wants to make a deal for me.”

Those 10 words exhibit the naiveté, arrogance and egomania of Donald J. Trump.

Since Russian attacked Ukraine, there has been as many as 100,000 Ukrainian solider killed in the fighting and as many as an additional 300,000 seriously wounded. There have been some 13,580 Ukrainian civilians killed.

Why? Because of where they live.

And about that place: on December 5, 1994, the Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances was signed by Ukraine, Russia, the US, and the UK. It codifies Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and borders. 

Guess “Security Assurances” aren’t what one might think.

When Steve Witkoff, the so-called “US Special Envoy for Peace Missions” used the phrase “Article 5-like” in reference to protecting the Ukrainians, every one of the people in that country should have stocked up on ammo.

It should be further noted that there has been as many as 250,000 Russian soldiers killed in the war, with another 820,000 seriously wounded.

Yet Trump thinks that Putin will cut a deal because of Trump.

This isn’t statesmanship. This is complete and utter narcissism.

And when it comes — if it comes — to any “deal,” Putin is going to play Trump like a cheap, gold-plated lyre.

Macaulay is pundi-at-large for The Hustings.