Weird Words

This is an experimental and quick post, written on the way into central London to an event on Ukrainian music.

The US and Russian presidents are negotiating at the moment, crucially ignoring the promise of nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.

Trump is also exposing himself to a trap from which, I fear, he is not clever enough to extricate himself.

I have warned several times that negotiations with the Russians serve no purpose. Discourse for them has become not a means to exchange ideas, but am instrument of coercion, an unbalanced perichoresis where words are used to hold others in a relationship of subjugation.

I've seen this in action for over two decades, and Trump is highly likely falling into the same trap that swallowed Tony Blair and others.

Entering into discourse with Putin only exposes oneself to the danger of being caught in this weird use of language. The danger is that Putin will exploit the opportunity to force Trump to refocus on the supposed “root causes” of the war.

Moscow has made pretty clear its intentions over the past few days. Anyone who believes that “Russian disinformation” is meant to confuse needs to rethink. Methods of studying Russian messaging need to be rethought. Russian political discourse at the moment is meant to weaken and subjugate. The Kremlin wants nothing less than the ability to coerce Europeans that Russia deserves influence over our continent's security. The destruction of Ukraine is only one step along this path. Putin's “root causes” are the existence of Europe as a civilisation.

So. Let us see how this call ends up. I could be surprised, but there is a risk that Putin wields his words and that Trump comes away ready to put more pressure on Kyiv. I hope I am surprised.