Take it all back, says Trump

"After getting to know and fully understand the Ukraine/Russia Military and Economic situation," writes the US president on social media, "... I think Ukraine, with the help of the European Union, is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form." Note that the EU does not include the United States. However, he went on to say:

"With time, patience, and the financial support of Europe and, in particular, NATO, the original Borders from where this War started, is very much an option. Why not? Russia has been fighting aimlessly for three and a half years a War that should have taken a Real Military Power less than a week to win."

That's better, though it's not entirely clear that Mr Trump understands that we are part of NATO. (Mr Putin might also ask how many weeks it took the United States to win its war in Vietnam, in Iraq, in Afghanistan....)

"We will continue to supply weapons to NATO for NATO to do what they want with them," he was quoted as saying at the United Nations this week. "Good luck to all!" That's a bit ambiguous. Likely the president means he's willing to sell weapons to any NATO member willing to pay the going price and then turn them over to Ukraine. This doesn't strike me as something a Real Military Power would do.

Somewhere in there, Trump was asked if NATO nations should shot down Russian aircraft that intrude on their airspace. "Yes, I do," Trump replied.