Trump and Putin have stepped hand-in-hand into a Black Swan event.

 In 1959 Richard Condon (left) published a political thriller, "The Manchurian Candidate", about the son of a prominent U.S. political family who is brainwashed into being an unwitting assassin for a communist conspiracy.

In the novel, it is revealed that the Communists have been using Shaw as a sleeper agent who, activated by a post-hypnotic trigger, immediately forgets the assignments he carries out and therefore can never betray the operation either purposely or inadvertently. (Wikipedia) 

Fast forward to 2026, and we have an American president, Donald Trump, whose public pronouncements, during this last week, about Putin's current war with Ukraine, seems to be emanating straight from the mouth of Putin himself.

As Harriette Boucher and Namita Singh (left) have just reported,

US president Donald Trump has signed an executive order that puts on hold a sweeping new sanctions package targeting the Russian economy, telling Congress the pause was in the "national interest".

Trump personally approved the legislation just last month, and his move to block it came just two days before a deadline set in the law itself for its implementation. (The Independent on MSN: 17 October 2026) (my emphasis)

Furthermore, this "putting on hold"of, "The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026", follows close on the heels of Trump opening the door for Putin to export diesel fuel to the US, in the face of a US sanctions bill of 2022  banning Russian oil, natural gas and coal into the United States by former US President Joe Biden.

 

The Telegraph: 2022 : YouTube

And to further hamstring Ukraine in defending itself against Putin's bombing onslaught against Ukraine's civilians Trump, together with Elon Musk, 

"Ukrainian frontline soldiers are alarmed that Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite service is reportedly being restricted on fast-moving military platforms, warning of severe operational consequences.

“This is comparable to a nuclear strike against us. All operations are on hold. This will cost many of us our lives,” an experienced Ukrainian officer told POLITICO and the Axel Springer Global Reporters Network." ( Ibrahim Naber, Veronika Melkozerova and Victor Jack : Politico : 14 October 2026) (my emphasis) (cf also: Tiffany Wertheimer: BBC News: 14 October 2026) 

 

CNN : 15 October 2026 : YouTube

In an interview with Piers Morgan on "Piers Morgan Uncensored", Zelensky said,

"It's a pity that we are losing a strong partner, but not because of us.

We can't be weak, otherwise we can't survive.

Putin, he's losing on the battlefield".  

 

Piers Morgan Uncensored: 15 October 2026: YouTube

As the US mid-term elections inexorably draw closer, and as his standing with the American electorate continues to decline, shows just how much Trump is in 'panic mode', to the extent that Trump is now walking hand-in-hand with Putin in his war against Ukraine.

Zelensky is now fighting against TWO enemies, Trump and Putin.

As Lauren Kent and Daria Tarasova-Markina (left) report,

"Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky praised “real leaders” in Europe at a summit in Belgium on Friday, taking a veiled swipe at US President Donald Trump amid testy relations between Kyiv and Washington. 
… 
 “We will keep living, fighting, and most importantly, living with dignity,” he added. “When the quality of life is so terrible during wartime, maintaining dignity is a very important thing.”

EU leaders said they were preparing a new package of sanctions against Russia – the 22nd package since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

In contrast with the Trump administration, they were keen to stress that sanctions against Moscow would be strengthened unless Putin stops the war. " (CNN: 17 October 2026) (my emphasis)

Both Trump and Putin have stepped into a  Black Swan event.  

UPDATE : 17 October 2026 : GMT 16:57

Trump has put on display for the American people that he is on the side of Putin.

The American people are reacting against Trump for openly siding with Putin, as the recent videos below show. 

(1) Starlink Controversy: Trump Denies Role In Ukraine Satellite Restrictions | Musk, Zelenskyy | CNN TV  

CNN News18: 17 October 2026: YouTube

(2) He’s ALWAYS been with Russia’: Joe SLAMS Trump 'BETRAYAL’ of West, Ukraine 

MS Now : 16 October 2026 : YouTube

(3) 'He's siding with an imperial dictator!': Fmr. Amb. to Russia slams Trump criticizing Ukraine

 

MS Now :16 October 2026: YouYube

(4) 18 days to midterms: Corruption now top voter concern, Musk spends big on Paxton 

 

MS Now : 17 October 2026: YouTube 

It is now up to the American people to show that they still have a shred of 'morality' left and face up to the death and destruction that a CORRUPT Trump has unleashed upon the people of Ukraine.

  

 (to be continued)

Emboldened by Trump, Putin now eyes war with Europe's NATO members.

As the mid-term elections in the US draws closer, and as Trump's positive rating with the American public falls to as low as 30%, pointing to a US Democratic landslide in the upcoming US mid-term elections, Trump is not merely in panic mode but also foresees his imminent 'impeachment'.

As reported by Sky News,

"Volodymyr Zelenskyy has hit out at the "weak decision" by Donald Trump to strike a deal to obtain diesel from Russia, describing it as a "gift to Putin".
… 
It marks a stunning reversal of American pressure on Russia over its war with Ukraine and an attempt to address high fuel prices ahead of the US midterm elections.

Mr Zelenskyy called it "a weak decision, unfortunately, a weak decision by strong partners," according to a statement released by the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington." (Sky News: 10 October 2026) (my emphasis)

 

Sky News: 10 October 2026 

With his war in Iran causing diesel prices to spike in the US, and in near political meltdown, Trump is desperately trying to deflect the mounting price of diesel in the US onto President Zelensky 

Recall that on the  15 September 2026, Anna Danylchuk (left) explained to the American people that,

"So many Americans are angry. And I feel the need to react. Because first  of all, I don't want you to be angry at us. And second, it's not our responsibility. 

It is actually the result of Trump's miscalculation with  Iran war. Blocked the Hormuz Strait." (Anna from Ukraine: 14 September 2026: YouTube) (my emphasis)

 

Anna from Ukraine: 14 September 2026: YouTube 

And whilst a panicking Trump is now,

"Investing in the invader [of Ukraine], undermining his own sanctions, asking Putin to help him out with elections looming, in a desperate attempt to bring down energy prices" (ibid Sky News) ,

 Major General Chip Chapman
 (video below) informs us how [General Sergei Surovikin (left: with Putin)], the 'Butcher of Syria', is preparing to deploy brutal tactics to 'starve Ukraine into submission'.

"If [Russia] can't succeed on the front line [in Ukraine], what you try and do, you try and break the will of the population in the same way that the Russians and Syrians did to the opposition in Syria." (The Sun : 7 October 2026: YouTube) (my emphasis)

 

The Sun : 7 October 2026: YouTube 

As Cormac Smith,  in an interview, states,

 

"The truth is, Putin is a cornered rat, and he is going to go for one desperate throw of the dice" (The Sun : 28 September 2026: YouTube) (my emphasis) (cf. blog entry: 29 September 2026)

 

This one desperate throw of the dice by Putin is amply illustrated by the current near continuous bombing of Ukraine's civilians.

 

As reported by CNN,

 

"Ukraine says Russia has carried out its deadliest attack of the year. At least 33 people were killed in a Russian strike that set two busses on fire in the Donetsk region." (CNN: 9 October 2026: YouTube) (my emphasis)

 

 

CNN: 9 October 2026: YouTube  

 

As Tobias Ellwood explains the consequences of Trump's stunning reversal of American pressure on Russia over its war with Ukraine in an interview with Times Radio,

 

"America has completely abandoned any sense of duty to support and defend our global order. So the consequences are profound and indeed dangerous.  

 

No-one is in full control of where this goes as America becomes even more unreliable and indeed unpredictable." (Times Radio: 11 October 2026: YouTube)

 

USA Has Lost Its Moral Compass': Trump-Putin Deal Could Lead To A Third World War 

 

Times Radio: 11 October 2026: YouTube

  

Emboldened by Trump, Putin now eyes war with Europe's NATO members.  

  

 (to be continued)

Putin is now starting to fall into a 'nuclear' Black Swan event.

On July 25, 2014, rather presciently,  Alexander Motyl  (left) posed the question,

"Is Putin evil? His actions certainly are, if by evil we understand behavior that willfully, consciously and purposely destroys human life. Perhaps we can call his actions undeniably evil and Putin himself "evil enough." Evil enough for what? Evil enough for condemnation by people of good will."(CNN: 25 July 2014) (my emphasis)

 

Fast forward to 29 September 2026 and Hanna Arhirova and Barry Hatton (right) report that, 

" Russia's round-the-clock bombardment of targets in Ukraine killed at least seven people and wounded more than 80 others, officials said Monday.
… 
Moscow's forces pounded apartment buildings, offices, gas stations, data centers and a building of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in downtown Kyiv, among other targets." (AP : 28 September 2026) (my emphasis)

 

 

CBS News : 28 September 2026 : YouTube 

As Cormac Smith, in an interview, states,

 

"The truth is, Putin is a cornered rat, and he is going to go for one desperate throw of the dice" (The Sun : 28 September 2026: YouTube) (my emphasis)

 

 

The Sun : 28 September 2026: YouTube 

 

He further goes on to state that,

 

"Putin doesn't care. I've been saying since January 2022 that this thug would have no compunction in throwing tens of thousands of his own people into  a meat grinder, and so it has turned out. This is a genocidal war [against the people of Ukraine]" (ibid Cormac Smith)

 

Yet, notwithstanding Putin's genocidal bombing of Ukraine's civilians, we have Pope Leo urging Zelensky to make concessions to Putin, who invaded Ukraine in 2022, and 

• who previously sent his Russian troops into Ukraine's Crimea, and parts of Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk, in 2014, and 
• who illegally incorporated these Ukraine territories into the Russian federation. 

As reported by Clea Caulcutt and Hannah Roberts (left),

"Pope Leo XIV (right) encouraged compromise and urged warring parties to make concessions to secure peace in Ukraine during a closely watched speech about Europe in France.

“Sadly, war has returned, even to Europe,” the pope said in the 
eastern city of Metz. “We need to commit ourselves to patient dialogue, to show courage in negotiation and to be willing to give up some positions for the greater good of peace.” (Politico: 28 September 2026) (my emphasis) 

 

 

Guardian News: 28 September 2026 : YouTube 

 

And whilst Pope Leo XIV is urging Ukraine to make concessions to a Putin raining bombs onto Ukraine's civilians, in a genocidal fit of demented anger, Putin is preparing for war with NATO.

 

As reported by UATV English (left),

 

"The dead hand system. While Moscow publicly denies preparing for a major war with the west, it is simultaneously restoring Cold War era military infrastructure at Mount Kosmisky in the Urals. Russia is expanding facility 1335, an underground Command Centre of the perimeter nuclear retaliation. 

 

Its purpose is to ensure a nuclear strike can still be launched, even if Russia comes under a nuclear attack, and communication with the leadership is lost. 

 

The system is based on the principle of, "Mutually Assured Destruction". (UATV English: 28 September 2026: YouTube) (my emphasis)

 

 

UATV English: 28 September 2026: YouTube 

As Cormac Smith stated,

 

"Putin is a cornered rat, and he is going to go for one desperate throw of the dice" (ibid Cormac Smith)

 

Putin is now starting to fall into a 'nuclear' Black Swan event. 

 

UPDATE : 1 October 2026 : GMT 07:56

 

Namita Singh,Sian Elvin,Suha Kidwai and Maroosha Muzaffar (left) have just reported that,

"Russia has sent a letter to Nato threatening to use nuclear weapons if it feels its Baltic territory of Kaliningrad is under threat.

Despite a growing campaign of Russian hybrid attacks on Ukraine's European neighbours and allies, Moscow said it was Nato exhibiting "dangerous and reckless" behaviour that entailed "high risks of the outbreak of a direct armed conflict". (The Independent on MSN: 1 October 2026) (my emphasis) 

 

Firstpost : 30 September 2026 : YouTube 

 

PUTIN IS FALLING FASTER INTO A 'NUCLEAR CONFLAGRATION' WAR WITH NATO!!  

  

 (to be continued)

Putin is now frantically bombing Ukraine civilians to save himself.

The Russian elections are over, and Trump has delivered his 'narcissistic' speech to the UN, at which he showered 'praise' upon his 'fictitious' accomplishments in the US and in the world at large. 

As was to be expected, the outcome of the Russian elections, which was determined by Putin even before the first vote was cast, will practically fill the Russian Duma with United Russia candidates or, to put it another way, Putin's 'United Russia' acolytes.

As Konstantin Samoilov (left) explains,

"It's very safe to assume that the results are bogus. Plain and simple. (c.f. video below)
... 
Putin needed this election and its results as a 'rubber stamp' seal of approval of Russian people of 'whatever comes next'.

Because when he will be asked questions he will say, "It's not me .. It's the United Russia Party, and they have just been voted for by Russian people days before mobilization or days before that attack ... whatever..." (Inside Russia: 22 September 2026: YouTube) (my emphasis)

 

Inside Russia: 22 September 2026: YouTube 

Similarly, in an interview on Frontline, Robert Fox (left) replies that,

Questioner : What do you make of the election [in Russia] results?

Robert Fox: It is what he [Putin] wanted. He'll have to have over 300 [United Russia members in the Duma]. They've knocked out any anti-war element

It's wrapping himself in the flag. It's been suggested from this he can go on and raise, possibly, a full mobilization, which I think is a high risk ... " (Frontline: 22 September 2026: YouTube) (my emphasis)

 

Frontline: 22 September 2026: YouTube

The frantic manner in which Putin is bombing the civilians in Ukraine's cities signifies his near total desperation in the face of the full collapse of the Russian economy and, with it, the collapse of Russia's military and industrial complex.

As Joe Blogs (left) explains,

"Russia began 2026 expecting a deficit of 1.6% of GDP. It's now expecting a deficit of 3%.

It plans to borrow about 5.5 trillion roubles. It's now expected to borrow significantly more.
.... 
The big question isn't whether Russia can afford. It can.

The much more important question is what happens if these [economic] pressures continue into 2027, 2028, and beyond." (Joe Blogs: 22 September 2026: YouTube) (my emphasis)

 

Joe Blogs: 22 September 2026: YouTube

As reported by Abdujalil Abdurasulov (left),

"Russian attacks on Ukraine are becoming more devastating than before because of their new jet-powered drones, which are harder to shoot down.
… 
The BBC's Abdujalil Abdurasulov spoke with Ukrainian air defence units about how they are fighting against this new threat" (BBC News: 22 September 2026) (my emphasis)

 

BBC News: 22 September 2026 

However, Stanisław Kaleta (left) reports that,

"Ukraine has developed a new interceptor to tackle Russia’s increasing use of jet-powered drones, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the country’s president, has announced.
… 
“A new interceptor drone has been developed and has already been successfully deployed,” he said. “Step by step, we are moving forward to give Ukraine greater protection.”  (TVP World: 19 September 2026) (my emphasis)

Just as Trump,

"... threatens to 'annihilate' Iran in UN speech as officials from both countries meet on sidelines", (BBC News : 22 September 2026) (my emphasis) 

 

 BBC News : 22 September 2026

Putin is attempting to 'annihilate' Ukraine with his missiles and jet-powered drones.

But to no avail.

As reported by Fox News on YouTube,

"Ukraine hits Moscow with LARGEST EVER drone attack." (Fox News: 22 September 2026: YouTube) (my emphasis) 

 

Fox News: 22 September 2026: YouTube 

Putin is now drinking in the 'last chance saloon'  

  

 (to be continued)

Both Trump and Putin are now on a hiding to nothing.

Trump's poodles, Steve Witcoff and Jared Kushner (left: with Putin), the pro-Putin clown-duo, have now visited Putin and Zelensky and, as per usual, nothing has come of it

Trump has been too busy trying to follow the "Soviet 'vertical of power' election  book' as has been re-written, and religiously followed by Putin, and that has kept him in 'Czar'-power since 2001. 

It  is no wonder that Trump has desperately tried to undermine 'postal balloting' in the upcoming Mid-term US elections.

As Dan Mangan (right) reports,

"President Donald Trump condemned the Supreme Court for a decision that blocks a new [Trump ordered] U.S. Postal Service rule on mail-in ballots from being used for November’s midterm elections." (CNBC : September 15 2026) (my emphasis) 

Since then, a 'demented and mentally bewildered' Trump has pronounced to the world, but aimed against Ukraine, that,

"U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries and other infrastructure used to produce and distribute diesel, saying the attacks are causing a global shortage. He spoke after diesel prices in the U.S. hit a record on Friday, soaring past $6 a gallon on average.
... 
“We spoke to Mr. Zelenskyy about it. There are plenty of other targets. Don’t hit diesel fuel, because that’s hurting, that’s hurting the world,” he said. " (AP : 14 September 2026) (my emphasis)

'IT'S GROTESQUE': Joe slams Trump from blaming Ukraine for rising diesel prices 

 

MS Now: 14 September 2026: YouTube 

Mariem Bah (left) also reports that,

"Trump’s own war with Iran has also roiled energy markets. After the US and Israel struck Iran in February, oil and fuel prices soared well above $100 a barrel, before decreasing during the ceasefire. But as fighting between the US and Iran has resumed and escalated in recent weeks, oil prices have steadily risen, reaching nearly $108 a barrel on Sunday.

In addition, US midterm elections are approaching in November, heightening political pressure as rising fuel costs have become a liability for Trump’s Republicans: Diesel prices are now at a record high in the US." (Al Jazeera : 14 September 2026) (my emphasis) 

Anna Danylchuk (right) further explains to the American people that,

"So many Americans are angry. And I feel the need to react. Because first  of all, I don't want you to be angry at us. And second, it's not our responsibility. 

It is actually the result of Trump's miscalculation with  Iran war. Blocked the Hormuz Strait." (Anna from Ukraine: 14 September 2026: YouTube) (my emphasis)

 

Anna from Ukraine: 14 September 2026: YouTube  

Both Trump and Putin are panicking about their respective forthcoming election.

Putin has already decided that his "United Russia" part shall be the winners.

Trump, on the other hand, has to try and 'bribe' the American electorate to ensure that the Republican Party wins both the Senate and Congress to keep him protected from the avalanche of scrutiny that a Democratic win will generate.

As reported by Jonathan J. Cooper (right) and The Associated Press, 

"President Donald Trump pledged Wednesday to send every American adult $5,000 if Republicans retain control of the House and Senate in the midterm elections, an extraordinary gambit to reverse his party’s sagging fortunes in November.

The dubious promise would most likely cost more than $1 trillion and require congressional approval, and would further exacerbate the country’s nearly $1.8 trillion annual budget deficit and concerns about inflation." (Fortune: 10 September 2026) (my emphasis)

The near demolishing by Zelensky of  Putin's Russian economy Trump, it would seem, is hell bent on destroying the US economy to protect himself from the avalanche of scrutiny that a Democratic win will generate.

There really are no lengths to which Trump will stoop to, to retain and cling to his pro-Putin stance. 

It  is no wonder that Putin's manic and continuous bombing of Ukraine's civilians does not elicit a squeak from Trump. 

Indeed, neither does Putin's goading of EU NATO countries to react to his asymmetrical war-goading :-

• A Russian drone struck a train near the Ukraine-Poland border shortly after the former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and top European security officials had passed through. (Jaroslav Lukiv and Amy Walker : BBC News: 14 September 2026) (my emphasis) 
• Denmark has accused Russia of firing flares “within metres” of a military helicopter as concerns about the conflict spreading across Europe intensifies. (Maira Butt: The Independent on MSN: 15 September 2026)

• Earlier on Sunday, a truck less than 1km from Ukraine's border with Poland was also hit, prompting the Dorohusk-Yahodyn crossing point to briefly halt operations, according to border guards. (ABC News Australia on MSN: 14 September 2026) (my emphasis) 

to elicit an attack on Russia from Poland and Denmark, which will give Putin the 'moral high ground' with the Russian people by attacking NATO.

This is the recent asymmetrical war-goading by Putin of NATO, knowing that Trump will simply turn a blind eye to them. 

However, what the recent actions of Trump and Putin reveal is 'sheer panic'.

Both Trump and Putin are now on a hiding to nothing. 

UPDATE : 18 September 2026 : GMT 13:10 

Caitlin Yilek (left) has reported that,

"A sweeping Russia sanctions bill overcame opposition in the House on Wednesday, after many Democrats expressed concern that it would expand President Trump's tariff authorities. 
…. 
The bill, titled The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, allows the president to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas. There are exceptions for countries that import less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia and are taking "significant" steps to reduce the imports. It also includes sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin, officials within his government, oligarchs and Russian banks and financial institutions." (CBS News: 17 September 2026) (my emphasis)

The nightmare of Putin has arrived.

Can Trump politically afford not to immediately sign it? 

China and India are now on notice, with the world watching.

Their days of financially supporting Putin to mercilessly bomb Ukrainian civilians are coming to an end. 

 

CBS News: 17 September 2026: YouTube 

  

 (to be continued)