"This leads me to believe that Trump is also in contact with Putin, likely trying to diffuse tensions. If Trump is already handling foreign policy as President Elect, which he clearly is, it’s hard to imagine him NOT being in contact with Putin, given the Biden administration green-lighted firing missiles into Russia, are now trying to provide Ukraine with nuclear weapons, and are ultimately trying to bait Putin into a nuclear war.

Trump promised he would prevent WW3 and have the war in Ukraine stopped within 24 hours. The only way he could do that, is by negotiating before he steps in office. He has already spoken to Netanyahu, Orbán, Milei, Rutte, Zelensky, Trudeau, Macron, Duda, Sheinbaum, etc., why not Putin?

I don’t think it’s a stretch to assume Trump and Putin are in contact with one another in some capacity, but for strategic purposes, both parties are keeping their cards close to the vest.

The back channels are open, in hopes of staving off disaster."

• Clandestine