Hi Marty,
I actually thought you would give me some logical reason why Trump's stance towards Ukraine has completely changed. Marty, I don't blame you. Nobody can explain it. The Germans aren't used to politicians acting like that. They don't understand how so many people could vote for someone like Trump. But, he's not their problem, he's America's problem.

That kind of stuff that you described actually did go all the way away. 6% of the German population speak the Russian language. Even Merkel spoke russian with Putin. There was nothing lurking beneath the surface. Believe me, absolutely nothing. I grew up there. On several occasions I was supposed to go to Moscow to train Russian colleagues and help them win deals. I never went because I grew up during the cold war and I have an American passport. I would never go to Russia. Would you? My German colleagues were happy they could go instead. For your information: there are no Nazis in Ukraine. There never were any. It is really sad that our leaders spread lies and tons of people believe them. That's not only happening in Russia and America but all over the place. Putin doesn't talk about Nazis in Ukraine anymore. That was a lie. Apparently, the Nazis in Ukraine are gone.
Putin has his list of countries he wants to invade. I just read Lithuania is next on his list ... in 2026. It looks like he wants to test Trump/the Nato.

As for tariffs, they won't work for Trump. The whole world will teach him a lesson. Trump won't get it but the American people will feel it and the US economy. I'm still waiting to see what happens when the first Social Security checks don't go out on time. Do you get a SS check?

All the best - Robert