Who's Vladimir Putin's best friend in the world?

The mainstream media doesn't seem to want to talk about this, but it's important that America and the world face what increasingly seems clear: Vladimir Putin's best friend in the world the person prepared to allow Putin to mount additional wars of aggression in Europe - is the leading Republican contender for president of the United States, Donald Trump.

On Saturday, during a rally at Coastal Carolina University, Trump ramped up his attacks on NATO, claiming he suggested to a European leader that he would encourage Russia to do "whatever the hell they want" to member countries he views as not spending enough on their own defense: "One of the presidents of a big country stood up and said, 'Well, sir, if we don't pay and we're attacked by Russia, will you protect us? I said, 'You didn't pay. You're delinquent.' He said, 'Yes, let's say that happened.' No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want." Trump's comment puts into context his strong opposition to providing more aid for Ukraine and why Republican lawmakers are now backing off such funding.

It's a giant turnabout for the Republican Party.

Shortly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, only 11 Senate Republicans voted against providing aid to Ukraine. This past Thursday, 31 Senate Republicans voted against it. (It's unclear whether House Republicans will even permit a vote on the package.) Trump is also promising that if reelected president, he'll resolve Putin's war against Ukraine within 24 hours. Putin says he "cannot help but feel happy about" Trump's promise. Of course, Putin is happy.