Posted on 08/21/2025 4:23:56 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
Russian President Vladimir Putin believes it's his destiny to recreate the Russian empire and won't back down in Ukraine, former Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in an interview with "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan."
Gates said Putin's aims can be unclear, even in one-on-one meetings.
"I'm not sure even in a face to face that you can judge Putin's intention," said Gates, who served as defense secretary under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. "My own view, having dealt with him and having spent most of my life working on Russia and the Soviet Union, is Putin feels that he has a destiny to recreate the Russian Empire. And as my old mentor, Zbigniew Brzezinski once said, without Ukraine, there can be no Russian Empire."
While campaigning for a return to the White House, President Trump promised a swift end to the war that began three years ago when Russia invaded Ukraine. More than 100 days into Mr. Trump's second term, talks to end the conflict have been inconsistent, with little sign an end to fighting is in sight.
"I think the president is — based on what I read — is getting the sense that, as he put it, that Putin is 'tapping' him along and … Putin hasn't given up on any of his original goals in Ukraine," Gates said, referring to an April 26 social media post.
In the post, Mr. Trump wrote of Putin, "maybe he doesn't want to stop the war."
Gates said Putin hasn't shown a willingness to make any major concessions.
"He's going to insist on occupying all four of the eastern provinces of the Donbas, perpetual recognition of Russian ownership of Crimea, a pro-Russian government in Kyiv and a Ukrainian military that looks a lot like an enhanced police force."
(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...
This is what Europeans do. Aggress against each other, fight wars, build empires, trample rights.
There is no reason for America to be involved. They’ll fight each other no matter what. It’s how they roll.
Agree. And they also gridt for US money.
“And as my old mentor, Zbigniew Brzezinski”.
Lost me there.
There's a stick, but then there's also a carrot.
Gates is trying to disturb the peace with psyop talking points. I would not doubt he made all this up to stir the pot...
All of sudden every former failed dimwit and (so called) journalists are experts on Putin.
So says a weenie whose picture is in the political dictionary next to “RINO.”
LOL.
If he still has security clearance Trump should strip it and tell him to stfu.
Fine degenerate you pick to follow. You have a short memory.
https://apnews.com/general-news-national-national-3d34343170354e3b805ef3a37cbb5a84
“ Gates leaves Boy Scouts presidency, defends gay adult policy… In a speech to Scouting leaders, the former U.S. secretary of defense defended the compromise last year to allow openly gay adult leaders to serve in the Scouts”
Gates destroyed our Boy Scouts of America, endorsing gay leaders.
Balderdash.
Like I’d trust anything this idiot said. These people are all evil and guilty. The CIA in the early 50’s staged a coup in Iran to remove the first democratically elected President Mohammad Mosaddegh to install the Shah of Iran because he was weak, and they could make a puppet out of him. And the thing is, it all came about because of the Brits. Millions of dollars was handed out to make the coup happen. The excuse they used to conduct the coup that Russia was planning on invading, and taking over Iran, which would mean the U.S. would be rationing gas. It’s always Russia this, and Russia that. They’ve been using Russia as an excuse since WWII ended.
“The Big News With Zbigniew”
Gaytes?
The reason why the US is involved in Western Europe as an ally is that having its population, geography, and productive capacity in friendly hands is a major strategic asset. In addition, Russia under Putin is deeply hostile to the US.
Russia under Putin is deeply hostile to the US.
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Huh? In my three years of training Ivan’s in Moscow, they all loved Americans, our culture, religion,etc… it was our brain dead left wing progressive leadership they disliked….double spit on Obama….pull up some Russian video about Obama, Clinton, and especially senile Joe.
And as my old mentor, Zbigniew Brzezinski once said...”
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He’s been listening to a Polak with an axe to grind.
They’re easy to find when it comes to Russian Polish history.
Russia is a country with 11 time zones. Why do they need that small area of Ukraine?
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