Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's Remarks on Russia and Trump
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Vladimir Putin recognizes that President Donald Trump possesses the means to inflict severe harm on Russia’s prospects.
Putin’s Perception of Trump’s Leverage
Speaking in a radio excerpt, Pompeo argued that Putin “gets the joke” — that Trump “holds all the cards” and could, if necessary, bring Russia close to ruin. He framed that leverage as a central element of current U.S.-Russia relations.
Critique of Russia’s Post-WWII Conduct
Pompeo also criticized Russia’s historical conduct after World War II and questioned the sincerity of some of Putin’s domestic claims. He suggested some of the signals Putin and his allies have relied on are misread or overstated.
Trump’s Approach Toward Moscow
On Trump’s posture toward Moscow, Pompeo said the president has been unusually firm. He maintained that Trump has been more effective at deterring Putin than past administrations, and that recent developments are unlikely to change that stance.
Likelihood of Policy Shift
Pompeo concluded that, regardless of statements from ...