Not just through attacks on Ukraine: Portnikov explains how Putin tests Trump and what comes next

Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is testing U.S. President Donald Trump for indifference — and he will continue to do so not only through attacks on Ukraine.

This was stated by journalist and political commentator Vitaliy Portnikov on his YouTube channel.

“Of course, Putin, like an experienced terrorist, is now testing the West’s reaction to his actions. He is testing the U.S. President for indifference. After all, there was no reaction whatsoever from President Donald Trump or those closest to him after the previous large-scale strike on Ukraine,” Portnikov said.

Trump often speaks about how heartbreaking it is that people are dying in the Russia–Ukraine war. But according to Portnikov, this sentiment is nothing more than a pretext to justify having a “heartfelt conversation” with Putin.

“And when people are actually dying, Trump remains silent and talks about parades and new tariffs. That’s all that interests this businessman-turned-president when it comes to politics,” the journalist added.

Indeed, if the United States once again does not respond to the major Russian attack on Ukraine on May 24–25, it will only further embolden Putin to escalate his campaign of terror.

“If it becomes clear that President Trump truly does not care how many more Ukrainians die from Putin’s terror — as long as Putin gets what he wants from Ukraine, and Ukraine stops interfering with Trump and his circle’s dreams of shady business deals with Putin’s Russia — this will only encourage Putin to launch new, large-scale attacks,” Portnikov explained.

He added that Putin will not limit this “test of indifference” to Ukraine alone. Sooner or later, the war will reach the territory of NATO countries.

“And there, too, the Russian president will be testing Trump’s indifference… The Russian Federation and China are already thinking about how to reduce U.S. influence — both in Europe and in Asia,” Portnikov concluded.