Putin's Summer of '69

Vladimir Putin was 16 in 1969, the summer he joined the KGB.

Putin's KGB Aspirations

By ninth grade, he'd inquire about joining the KGB during school classes.

Putin's Ukraine War Proposal

Putin wants trilateral talks with Trump and Xi to end Ukraine war without Zelensky.

Soviet Power Logic

Putin views Ukraine as a plaything for great powers, not a sovereign nation.

Soviet History

Soviet tanks crushed Hungarian uprising in 1956, then crushed Czechoslovakia in 1968.

Putin's New Yalta

Putin seeks a 'new Yalta' deal with U.S. and China to end Ukraine war.

“a quest for a "new Yalta"”

Russia's Economic Status

Russia's economy is $2.6 trillion, far smaller than U.S. ($30.8 trillion) and China ($19.5 trillion).

Russia-China Relationship

Russia uses China as a buffer against Western sanctions.

Putin's Ukrainian Contradiction

Putin claims Ukraine is part of Russia but denies its sovereignty.

“We respect the Ukrainian language and traditions. We respect Ukrainians' desire to see their country free, safe and prosperous. I am confident that true sovereignty of Ukraine is possible only in partnership with Russia”

Trump's Stance

Trump says Ukraine war talks with Putin and Xi would focus on nuclear weapons, not Ukraine.

Putin's Goal

Putin wants Trump to accept his 'summer of '69' principles before Ukraine territory is lost.