Introduction: The Phone Call That Changed Nothing
Let me be perfectly clear about one goddamn thing—when two authoritarian-minded leaders get on the phone together, the rest of us should be shitting our pants. The recently revealed phone call between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump represents one of the most consequential diplomatic engagements in recent memory, and it happened completely outside the normal channels of international relations. It's a move that screams "backroom deal" louder than a fraternity party at 3 AM.
This wasn't just any call. This was a conversation between an American president freshly returned to power and the Russian dictator who has spent the last three years bombing Ukrainian cities into oblivion. And the timing? Absolutely fucking suspicious. The call conveniently took place right after Ukraine had agreed to a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire—a moment when Kyiv was showing good faith and extending an olive branch.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Wendy The Druid to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.