If you ever wondered how the KGB manipulated foreigners and got them to repeat Soviet propaganda, spend some time listening to Steve Witkoff talk about his wonderful conversations with Vladimir Putin.
Comments
Log in with your Bluesky account to leave a comment
I like that when Biden met Putin, he told him that when he looked into his eyes he didn't see any soul. Putin replied that at least they understood each other.
The first tip-off was the bit about Putin going to his local church. I need lots of evidence to believe that one.
Anyway, all the buttering up is because Trump needs a big win (and wants the Nobel), and getting Ukraine to agree to a cease fire mostly on Putin's terms is a win for Trump and Putin.
Such graciousness to the aspiring tyrant dictator from his mentor, who's murdered journalists and anyone who displeases him or is a threat to his power, who's twice invaded Ukraine and his soldiers slaughtered, raped and tortured civilians and stolen their children.
IF this portrait does exist has it been logged and secured as a gift to the people of the USA. (Not that we want it, but rules). It does not belong to the president. Or will it disappear like the $5,800 bottle of whiskey to Pompeo by Japan. Both will show up at Mar Lard Go (spelling intended).
Putin has sent hundreds of thousands of his own people to die in a pointless war, has kidnapped 20k Ukrainian children, murdered his political opponents - and Witkoff thinks he sincerely prays for Trump?
Duh, Putin flatters Trump so DJT thinks he's a pal.
Its driving nuts to see how stupid people are about seeing a con go down. I mean an imbecilic level of naive.
I guess his message was intended for the maga crowd, not Europe/people who care. He wants to massage the audience towards Putin is allright, hence we can be buddies
I will never get over the fact that his simple ploy of just saying "Russia Hoax" over and over convinced both mainstream as well as most of social media to dismiss that the Kremlin has been aggressively manipulating the GOP with political technology into becoming anti-democratic.
I know we are witnessing what may truly be the "Twilight of Democracy". What is being born? Feudalism possibly? Trump preaches small government and return power and authority to the states. Feudalism if states fail to capitulate.
The corrupt Zelensky has done the same thing to Russia and Russian speakers in the Donbass. Explain the 2014 US coup in Ukraine. Remember Victoria Nuland's INTERCEPTED call communications with her staff? Your viewpoint is too unilateral.
I'm sure Putin was sincere, because I bet he even wore that special Cross around his Neck that he saves for his meetings with only the most Gullible US Presidents and their envoys ... 🤔
Also, he wouldn't have been welcome in the Soviet Communist Party, and certainly not the KGB if he had not been just an atheist, but an atheist who was contemptuous of all religion. In the Communist mind, a tolerant atheist (which most tend to be), was as bad a practitioner of religion.
Making genocide great again. Thanks, repubs. There was the day back in the Cold War when this Democrat was closer to Reagan and Bush on Russia than I was to my own Democrats. What happened? (rhetorical question.)
Given Russia's sordid legacy in Ukraine, coupled with Putin's governance of Russia, anyone who knows the history of the region knew what Russia was going to do if they invaded, and here it is. Nonetheless, the useful idiots and outright Putin lovers continue to chant the propaganda.
Did Witkof ask Putin what happened in Bucha ? Did he ask him why he awarded medals to those Russian - Chechnyan soldiers who raped and murders woman and children ? I bet he didn't.
From what I know about Putin through reading & listening to experts on him, I doubt Putin prays for anyone other than himself; if he in fact does pray. I think Witkoff is gullible & naive in his assessment of Putin or narcissistic enough that he thinks his opinion is the correct one without evidence
I'd doubt Putin sincerely prays for anybody. And I'm an Orhodox Christian (no longer Russian Orthodox). I doubt that he is or ever was a believer, based on observing his actions. Ditto the Patriarch of Moscow. Targeting Children deliberately is just one reason. :/
It’s possible. I deal with people like Witikoff. They are singularly focused and unaware of the world around them. He likely has given little thought to Putin and world affairs- until now.
“Witkoff, who met Putin 10 days ago, said the Russian president had been "gracious" and "straight up" with him. Putin told him, he added, that he had prayed for Trump after an assassination attempt against him last year.”
It’s clear why Trump installed Witkoff. He’s a useful moron.
Of course the biggest mafia in Russia has always been the government; in Soviet times, the Communist Party, and now a circle of former KGB and FSB.
Martin Cruz Smith
Thanks for posting. Follow NYT, PBS, NBC did not see this posted by them on BS. Wonder why they didn't post and hope that is not a bigger problem of self-censoring. Apologies if I missed that but Trump's envoy's increasing pro-Russian views are a big concern & should be highlighted for all to see.
That this is reported in a BBC article, but not prominently on the front pages of the American quality media, is no longer a journalistic omission it is a strategic vacuum. And yes, that smelled strongly of self-censorship, or at the very least, of dulled vigilance.
“ Witkoff is leading the US ceasefire negotiations with both Russia and Ukraine but he was unable to name the five regions of Ukraine either annexed or partially occupied by Russian forces.”
Sums up Trump administration nicely- they are the one who is dismantling department of education
This is disheartening, but at least the position of the Trump regime is clear. They are on the side of Putin, and European nations must adjust their security plans accordingly.
Seriously,how are these apparent brilliant business leaders so naive? Are they just stupid? Ignorant? Arrogant? What? I’m just a mid manager and I know when I’m being manipulated and lied to.
This feels so much like when women talk about how men are creepy and other men go “well he was fine with me so he’s a good guy”. They do not care until it affects them personally. Asking a narcissistic sociopath to feel anything for anyone but himself is also a tall ask.
IMHO Putin is an unconscious hypocrite, not a conscious one. I think the man is sincerely deluded, thinks that he’s a great Christian, and will be very surprised when he ends up in hell after he dies.
It’s been rumored for years that Russia’s boss of all bosses is Semion Mogilevich. Putin’s somewhere lower on the food chain. Surely they’d both scoff at the very idea of prayer.
Trump never stopped campaigning for 10 years. His rallies gave a constant platform for his ugliest ideas
We need to do the same. Let's clear the benches and get every available person of good will and any public speaking abilities and let's get out there and speak.
I guess Putin correctly assumes that if the trump admin have all been subsumed into the most pathetic cult in history, then he barely has to try with these mooks and cretins. And so it is.
It sounds like the President of the United States might have a conflict of interest when it comes to supporting his country’s objectives versus those of Putin’s Russia.
Has this man not heard the term dramatic irony? What a tool and Putin is really desperate to play his fawning over the POTUS card, it's a weak hand. Now that DJT knows the Krasnov files are going to be leaked and his many shots of his genitalia that Stormy confirmed is not very pretty is coming!
Putin probably put some high tech listening device in the picture frame and those knobs around Turnip will just hang it up in the Oval Office without scrutiny.
It’s well known he attends private services & wears a small aluminium cross, not for any altruistic reason, but to keep the powerful Russian Orthodox Church on-side, who share his political ‘One Russia’ great power ideology
BUT ANNE Tucker is so so smart how
Could he be taken in? His credibility of being manipulated is the same as if I innocently fell prey to a Hollywood starlet. “She was so sweet and the next thing I knew…” I cannot wrap my head around these sellouts other than $
I'm really moved, so gracious! 😥 Now it can't be long until he will start praying for all those people he has killed. (Don't forget to bring him food, it may take a while.)
Putin told a bullshit story to Bush to win him over: "The deeply religious Bush was reportedly touched by a story Putin told him about how a cross his mother gave him was the only thing to survive a fire at his dacha (country house)." He doesn’t hide his absolute contempt for gullible morons.
I believe he went to pray for Trump. but not because of friendship. Because it would jeopardize all the work he’s done getting Trump, the greatest intelligence asset in Russian history and his personal get out of jail free card, to where he is.
BS to the KGB inth degree!! It's sad we have so many Russian sympathizer. Russia has been enabled by this assministration to the point they could, if they haven't already, walk into thus country and do what they want. DOJ, FBI, HLS, ALL have given then access to whatever the hell they want.
The first thought you take away from listening to these people, once the revulsion has died down, is what easy, easy marks they are. The strut around claiming they are sharp deal-making geniuses, but every last one of them is a malinformed, fatuous rube.
It’s absolutely tragic - these Trump folks appear so out of their depth. I suspect that the manner of the victory and own personal and their journey into power has completely blinded them to the truth. They all appear to live in an echo chamber which repeats the mantra ‘we are right, God is with us’
Putin and his henchmen must be pissing themselves laughing that these gormless halfwits believe even a fraction of their rather obvious bullshit. That they manage to keep anything resembling a straight face while spouting such shite to Trump's gimps will serve as a masterclass for future dictators.
I more used to seeing POWs marched out of a hooch and forced to talk into a mike. It’s sad to see someone do it facing no immediate threat of adversity at all
It is incomprehensible that someone not evil, born and educated in a free country becomes Putin's advocate within a few hours; brainwashing takes time. Maybe it is just a part of the game. Imagine the world with duo Caesares…
Citizens United made the tyranny of Trump possible. All that money in our elections made it possible for tech oligarchs to buy a president. They bought a president that is a sociopath and can be made their useful idiot by stoking his ego.
Yes, it also allows Elon Musk to put millions into the Ohio State judiciary race trying to buy a very Trump MAGA judge the position!!!
Only the rich and oligarchs love it.
I still don't get the how part. Sure I can see how they pander to their world view and that it may give an impression of shared purpose and they may not care a smidgen for a free and liberal world order, they may indeed oppose it.
But unless they are blind they should really see how this make them..
..look craven. And even in a world bereft of principles it must be apparent that they are frittering away their advantages.
Even if they may not care for ideals, the US is much less capable to exploit a dog eat dog world than the autocrats.
the feeble minded are always the targets. That explains the complete takeover of the GOP. All they had to do was dangle something shiny in front of them, and bingo! They all came to heel. Just like that. I know, the one in the middle has been altered, but they WERE there. Among the first.
Indeed, it seems that the White House has been infiltrated, as Russian propaganda has taken hold so well among the staff in the presidential administration, even affecting Trump himself. 🫣
Russians are excellent chest players, American politicians just need their huge ego gently massaged to be taken over and think what great guys they are. The stupidity on this one was over the roof.
Another phony ass Republican, like Collins pretending to care about our Constitution. There isn't one, not one, Republican in Congress standing up against the felon's fascist agenda. If there is, name one please. I could seriously use a glimmer of hope.
As someone who bought into soviet propaganda growing up, there are only two folks in the room. There are the Russians in the red corner and the Ukrainians in the blue. All we must do is that blue corner is standing when the bell rings.
They have had thirty or forty years over other intelligence agencies worldwide (under previous organizational names - MGB, NKVD, etc). to hone in their skills and techniques...masters at it.
Man, the #Russian 'Social Engineering' Team that worked #Witkoff - is getting Razzed right now, by all the other teams that have had to work much harder.
BLOG: There is always kompromat, but sometimes KGB does not even have to try that hard. When the target actually shares the same ideology, it is a piece of cake. Like with Trump. https://www.jandehn.com/post/kompromat
An honest question: do you think Witkoff has really been manipulated or is he just playing the role he's been hired for?
What is obvious in Lavrov's case is that he will lie without blinking. Why would we refuse to recognise the same talent in Witkoff? After all, they are a part of the same mafia.
The mafia has been consistent since 2017, when trump told his advisers "Ukraine wasn't a real country , it has always been part of Russia " (Reported in WaPo in 2019).
BBC : "Witkoff repeated various Russian arguments, including that Ukraine was "a false country"
I don't think there is any knowing in many cases. A few of them, like Miller and Bannon, wear their evil openly. Most of them appear to be really dumb and/or brainwashed, but who knows? Being thought of as important and powerful is like a drug; it blurs reality.
Becoming a billionaire is (if you ask me) more about being greedy, remorseless and lucky. Shoving your elbow in other people's faces and grabbing the fruits of hard work. Inside information, bribery, extortion, lawsuits.
I don't believe Musk, Bezos or Zuck are geniuses. They're assholes.
Witkoff is lying. This is part of Trump's strategy to show the Kremlin that the USA will support Russian positions to achieve a ceasefire. This strategy will fail because Russia does not intend to honor any agreements with the USA.
Yes, I do wonder how. Witkoff is repeating Putin's line, but how exactly do the FSB feed them this stuff. Does he have a handler? A secret short wave radio? Is it by dead drop like in the spy movies? How do the FBI not know about it? People keep saying they are Russian agents but how does it work?
Steve Witkoff doesn't appear to be stupid or evil, but like Marco Rubio and Lindsey Graham, he seems to be a totally spineless political weathervane, happily devising rationally consistent fantasies to support any Trump position, and even willingly defending evil dictator Putin.
The information warfare isn't even being waged subtly anymore.
They want America to embrace Russia openly now.
Putin's Russia is the antithesis to everything Americans have fought and died for.
We need to have trials for treason.
Opinion | How dare you say Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin not pray for President Trump? President Putin always pray for all KGB assets include Comrade Krasnov
Ever wonder why Israel 🇮🇱 never became the 51st state? @theatlantic.com In fact, such an offer was made, but the Likud-bloc (Sharon, Bibi) refused:"Why have only two U.S. Senators, when you can have them all." @sanders.senate.gov @schumer.senate.gov @wyden.senate.gov @schiff.senate.gov #Russia
Or we can listen to "Prof" Jeffrey Sachs talk about Russia, Rus. He's a tragic figure, like George W. Bush & Iraq "you break it, you own it." Except they never own anything, not even the U.S. bombs in Laos that will take 100 yrs of clean-up. @barackobama.bsky.social https://www.thenation.com/article/world/harvard-boys-do-russia/
Normally when you hear someone say "we can trust Putin," you'll find an easily googled photo of the speaker with Jeffrey Epstein. I'm going to check this when I have a free few minutes
The Orange One aspires to be Putin. He envies him. What other explanation can there be for this bizarre attraction? Meanwhile I think Putin has nothing but secret contempt for the Trumpian clown.
I wish you had not said that, but think you are right.
I am still on my hobby horse of the essential withdrawal of FCPA helped enable the flow of money between key individuals in the US and foreign countries like this and the Middle East.
They're all on this platform, too, doing the exact same stuff. Each "side" is convinced that the foreign influence accounts are only interested in the "other side".
Russia has no interest in one side or the other. Their interest is in sowing division & chaos. It's been yugely successful.
All of those accounts with 50k followers & 49.8k following, are influence accounts. They come in all flavors.
It costs almost nothing for them to influence Americans. Look at all they've accomplished in the US & elsewhere? Nationwide riots, Trump x2, Brexit, Hillary's emails, Gays for Palestine!
Oh gotcha. They only talked to morons with an underwater BAC and degrees they somehow got despite being too busy getting railed with a broomstick by their fraternity brothers.
I don't understand where does that answer the question "how", especially considering Trumputin, Muskrat and their cadre are, as far as I can tell, actively collaborating because they are actively working to set up an oligarchy like Russia's and this is a pragmatic alliance between birds of a feather
It is said that Putin preferred Witkoff to Kellogg as negotiator because there is compromising material on Witkoff. And that is exactly how the FSB manipulates foreigners, just as the KGB.
He’s proved that over and over. He doesn’t care about Palestinians dying; wanted to shoot immigrants at the border on sight. He didn’t give a flying fuck about people dying of COVID. He doesn’t care about people dying from starvation in Africa. He doesn’t care about suicidal trans people or Vets.
The Trump-Putin regime talks are on how to rescue the russian economy, rehabilitate russia's image in the US, and allow the two oligarchy's to help each other make money.
They have nothing to do with either peace or saving lives.
The devil is an unbelievably charming, knowledgable of protocol, riveting, interesting conversationalist and a very funny and goodlooking person who love bombs you until they have you where they want you.
(Then the suffering starts that you 'have deserved' for not being as awesome as them)
Witkoff is as gullible as Trump-I am sure when he walked out the door Putin laughed his head off seeing how easy it was to play Trump and his sycophants .
Listening to Whitkoff talking about the history of Ukraine it’s clear he knows absolutely nothing.
He talks about the 5 Provinces that are Russian but can’t name even one.
You can teach a parrot to repeat words but it won’t know what they mean.
Same with Whitkoff, Putin taught him words to repeat
Witkoff is the useful idiot for the ages. We are vassals to Putler and his fascist regime. I hope the democracies of the world understand how gone the USA is.
Do you mean to say that Trump and Putin are not two talented but lonely leaders separated by oceans and connected on a higher plane of mutual understanding and admiration for fellow greatness?
In the case of the trump organized crime syndicate, I don't think they need too much manipulation. They seem very willing, able and ready to carry the message.
There are also other people. Back in 1987 I was in Vilnius, Lithuania and had my personal KGB agent assigned to me. After half a bottle of vodka we had some interesting times and I learned that she saw through her Moscow training and worked to hasten the end of the USSR (at great personal risk)
When he doth prattle of the butcher-king’s butchery as if ’twere Sunday sport, one must needs wonder—what devil’s parchment hath the despot tucked in his codpiece? For sure, he speaks like a man whose privy sins hang by a thread!
The "he loves Trump, so he must be a good guy" ploy. Transparently ridiculous. I don't think Witkoff actually believes it. I think he's lying to the Cult to give an alibi. They're going to do what Trump wants them to, and that's sell out Ukraine.
But, but, but he prayed asking God to make sure Trump’s little ear boo-boo heals fast while praying was banned in the Soviet Union! See the difference?
Fun fact: I was approached by the KGB in Rome in 1980. Refused the invitations, including ride to the Metro and help learning Russian—at his home. Felt like the guy tarred and feathered and run out of town, “If not for the honor, I’d just as soon have taken the train.”
Coupled with the fact that the Trump crime family having proudly said a majority of their funding comes from Russia, Putin having blackmail tapes of the Traitor, and him regurgitating Russian propaganda verbatim there is no doubt he is a Russian asset and traitor.
"Cynical, egocentric people who can look into your eyes with angelic expression and tell you a lie. People who lack moral principles, too greedy or suffer from self importance. These are the people the KGB wanted to recruit"
- Yuri Bezmenov, KGB defector, interviewed by G. Edward Griffin in 1984
Witkoff sounds witless.They are trying so hard to make an international criminal who can't leave his country to go to Western Countries as there is an arrest warrant out for Putin. He is a mass murderer, who kills anyone who opposes him. HE ATTACKED UKRAINE. There is no world where he is a good guy.
It's horrifying how basic things like who are allies are and who are in fact our enemies are is so opaque or worse for so many people in the trump party. It's all loyalty to one man and that is all that matters. I'll never fucking get this.
As a young teen and amateur radio op in the mid 60s, I listened to a Russian broadcast station on the 40 mtr band and started comparing their news to ours on the same subject matter.
A few weeks later. I decided that if I ever needed a lawyer, it was going to be Ivan.
unless they watch HOMELAND, most don’t get that the main thing spies do is “recruiting” asset, which usually involves a lot of psychological manipulation. that’s what Putin was trained to do in the KGB.
I recommend Navalny's biography, "Patriot." He survived the first poisoning, caused by nerve agents in his clothing. He didn't survive the second in a jail. opponents like to fall out of windows,too! 🥹 Let's hope Trump doesn't use his "friend's" methods against his opponents!
It's truly unbelievable how Trump is falling for Putin. His deals with this despot are more important to him than world peace. 'Putin is such a good man! 🤣 No, he doesn't want to wage any more wars says mr. Witkoff. Putin is rubbing his hands. the Baltic states are the next. Europe know it❗️
Comments
Anyway, all the buttering up is because Trump needs a big win (and wants the Nobel), and getting Ukraine to agree to a cease fire mostly on Putin's terms is a win for Trump and Putin.
Oh, this will do:
🤢🤮
MAGA sickly worships them both.
https://www.babailov.com/men-portraits
The same Russian artist who did Leonard Leo’s daughter, Alito, Guliani and Clarence Thomas?
Its driving nuts to see how stupid people are about seeing a con go down. I mean an imbecilic level of naive.
I stand corrected.
Bc of that treatment, Pres Obama had decided, going forward, then VP Biden to handle meetings w/**ti*.
The “two sides to every story” about Putin’s political assassinations is astonishing.
If you believe in something like an afterlife, you would not be Putin
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62zm4eqvp7o
Must be a new style
It’s clear why Trump installed Witkoff. He’s a useful moron.
Martin Cruz Smith
Clearly Trump & co hope to make a lot of money in partnership with Putin.
If there was only some clue.
This would be comical, but for the fact that our President is such an easy mark.
Totally dysfunctional
Sums up Trump administration nicely- they are the one who is dismantling department of education
The fact that he’s willing to so publicly surrender all integrity is quite something. Perhaps he didn’t have much to start with?
But not hard to believe that Witkoff has advanced through sheer servility.
Of course, whether Satan can be bothered to listen to Putin is a separate question.
Prayer answered in 1987.
We need to do the same. Let's clear the benches and get every available person of good will and any public speaking abilities and let's get out there and speak.
Keep a light on his insanity.
Putin was Lt Colonel in the KGB, he has ordered assassinations from Russia to Azerbaijan, Chechnya, England & Germany
His opponents have been murdered in plain sight in Moscow & in Siberian Prisons
& this witless dolt is saying he cares about Trump? He prays for him?
In truth, he is about as Christian as Stalin
Could he be taken in? His credibility of being manipulated is the same as if I innocently fell prey to a Hollywood starlet. “She was so sweet and the next thing I knew…” I cannot wrap my head around these sellouts other than $
He’s about as devout as the plastic Krewe of Tucks Mardi Gras fly swatter sitting on my table.
Only the rich and oligarchs love it.
But unless they are blind they should really see how this make them..
Even if they may not care for ideals, the US is much less capable to exploit a dog eat dog world than the autocrats.
Yeah, pretty analogous…..
Big score for them/Putin was getting Russian asset (another American traitor) Tulsi as head of ALL U.S. intel agencies.
Shame on Senate Repubs!
Even Murkowski voted for Tulsi,
a KNOWN RUSSIAN ASSET!
Now she wonders how we got to supporting Russia!? 3/25/25⬇️
We know that Putin bailed him out of bankruptcy 40 years ago, trained him in the mein kompf methods and plays him like a fool
It’s easy to play such a stupid guy
https://bsky.app/profile/le1971.bsky.social/post/3lkvgyxght22b
https://www.jandehn.com/post/kompromat
Do not trust Trump.
Trump is a liar.
Trump is insane.
Trump speaks from the mouths
of his political appointees.
Trump’s political appointees
are lying for Trump.
In depth psychology it is called
a psychic epidemic or
mass-psychosis, aka “Cult”.
77 million fundamentalist voters.
*
What is obvious in Lavrov's case is that he will lie without blinking. Why would we refuse to recognise the same talent in Witkoff? After all, they are a part of the same mafia.
BBC : "Witkoff repeated various Russian arguments, including that Ukraine was "a false country"
People could be less harshly judged for naivety than for treason.
By saying that Witkoff "was manipulated" we give him a free pass.
I don't believe Musk, Bezos or Zuck are geniuses. They're assholes.
💙❤️🇺🇦
Just to save the day, you know….
They want America to embrace Russia openly now.
Putin's Russia is the antithesis to everything Americans have fought and died for.
We need to have trials for treason.
by Margarita Simonyan
Corruption at its finest.
Short of KGB tactics using hypnosis & brain washing techniques, one must realise that Putin is an evil monster? Maybe am just too naive
But no matter how many conversations I’d have w Putin, I’d never think of him as anything other than a war criminal
I am still on my hobby horse of the essential withdrawal of FCPA helped enable the flow of money between key individuals in the US and foreign countries like this and the Middle East.
Follow the money.
PERIOD.
Russia has no interest in one side or the other. Their interest is in sowing division & chaos. It's been yugely successful.
It costs almost nothing for them to influence Americans. Look at all they've accomplished in the US & elsewhere? Nationwide riots, Trump x2, Brexit, Hillary's emails, Gays for Palestine!
I think he could sell refrigerators successfully, but maybe not.
only Dreamers would believe that....
And Stevie thinks if you speak Russian, you are Russian. (Just like if you speak English in the US you should be part of the UK.)
Because that’s what Putin told him.
They have nothing to do with either peace or saving lives.
(Then the suffering starts that you 'have deserved' for not being as awesome as them)
Putin is smart, smarter than Trump and Whitkoff.
However, you don’t have to be that smart to earn that accolade.
He talks about the 5 Provinces that are Russian but can’t name even one.
You can teach a parrot to repeat words but it won’t know what they mean.
Same with Whitkoff, Putin taught him words to repeat
Putin is carefully managing Trump's reputation within the US
Neither can risk Trump losing popular support, else the GOP will turn on him (they hate him)
I am 100% it is an aspect and plays a role for this Wichcough 🤑
Trump knew who he was picking.
- Yuri Bezmenov, KGB defector, interviewed by G. Edward Griffin in 1984
Use @5calls.org to easily leave a message for your representatives and senators.
A few weeks later. I decided that if I ever needed a lawyer, it was going to be Ivan.
He has been played like a Stradivarius.
Well done Putin: so Easy for you......