Trump Continues His Willful Blindness with Putin and Russia

By Jim Geraghty

Wednesday, September 02, 2026

 

We can question whether the U.S. wanted to see Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Bishkek this week, and calling Vladimir Putin his “friend.” But at least Modi had the guts to say out loud something Putin didn’t want to hear, to his face, with the cameras rolling:

 

“Every day that the war continues, humanity is, in effect, set back a step, whilst every step towards peace gives all of humanity real hope for peace. We need to move from endless war to an ​end to the war, ​to a cessation ⁠of hostilities,” said Modi as Putin looked at the floor and tapped his feet.

 

Yesterday, the Financial Times reported that Russia has secretly helped Iran develop supersonic cruise missile technology that experts say could give Tehran a new way to threaten U.S. Navy vessels in the Middle East, citing leaked Russian correspondence, travel records, and military patents.

 

Back in late July, President Trump assured the country and the world that Russia and China were not helping Iran with their weapons:

 

President Xi, at our recent meeting in Beijing, China, told me that he would not, under any circumstances, give or sell Weapons to the Islamic Republic of Iran — And that statement included Chinese Companies. Considering our relationship, I take him at his word and, besides, l am doing him very big favors, also. Likewise, President Putin, despite the horrible War going on in Ukraine (The relationship remains, as it does with President Zelenskyy), told me that he would not sell Weapons to Iran. He understands that I do not sell Weapons to Ukraine, but to NATO Countries. They pay full price, and how those Weapons are distributed, I have no idea. Therefore, two major Countries that people speak of often in terms of Iran are, in my opinion, not participating. If they did, it would be very bad for them — Certainly not in their best interests. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

 

Last week, amidst a worsening trend of Russian hybrid warfare against NATO member countries in Europe, President Trump stated, flatly, that Russia would not attack a NATO country:

 

Q: Mr. President, has Vladimir Putin agreed or committed to not attacking a NATO territory?

 

Trump: I’ve had good talks with him; he’s not going to be attacking a NATO territory.

 

This is willful blindness.