he earnestly believes in what Putin does. I don't believe this, as there are way too many glaring contraindications: his quick cooperation with the FBI, the fa

he earnestly believes in what Putin does. I don't believe this, as there are way too many glaring contraindications: his quick cooperation with the FBI, the fact that Palantir does significant business with Ukraine, lack of any statements in favor of Putin (or in support of his narratives), etc. Remember also he's gay, and so fundamentally at loggerheads with Putin on the whole "traditional values" issue. A better reading would be: since he's cast his lot squarely with Trump, ipso facto he'd be fine (enough) with whatever dirty deals Trump might wish to make with Putin (as Trump has essentially promised he would try to make). That doesn't mean he has to love these deals; but if it's the cost of maintaining his access with the Trump-Vance administration, then fine. Civil rights of the LGBT community in Russia, and civil/property/existence rights of Ukrainians be damned.