"We're protecting Germany, we're protecting France, we're protecting all of these countries. And then numerous of the countries go out and make a pipeline deal with Russia where they're paying billions of dollars into the coffers of Russia.

"So we're supposed to protect you against Russia and you pay billions of dollars to Russia and I think that's very inappropriate"

Trump 2018

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nato-summit-pipeline/trum...

"I went in yesterday and there was a television screen, and I said, “This is genius.” Putin declares a big portion of the Ukraine — of Ukraine. Putin declares it as independent. Oh, that’s wonderful. (sarcastic)

So, Putin is now saying, “It’s independent,” a large section of Ukraine. I said, “How smart is that?” And he’s gonna go in and be a peacekeeper. That’s strongest peace force… We could use that on our southern border. That’s the strongest peace force I’ve ever seen. There were more army tanks than I’ve ever seen. They’re gonna keep peace all right. No, but think of it. Here’s a guy who’s very savvy… I know him very well. Very, very well."

Trump 02/22/2022.

(emphasis mine)

Full audio interview here:

https://www.clayandbuck.com/president-trump-with-cb-from-mar...

It's weird how people don't seem to understand. He's saying that Putin is a threat and a liar, and that this campaign is based on a clever deception.

Obviously it wasn't as clever as Putin hoped, because nobody in the whole world except a few Russian HN posters believe it. But saying that your opponent has a clever plan does not mean you're on the opponent's side.

Nope. Putin has played the long game by buying sympathy from the American Right.