Is it possible that he was smart enough to agree with Putin but that neither was smart enough to expect the unintended consequences? It is trivially easy to see

Is it possible that he was smart enough to agree with Putin but that neither was smart enough to expect the unintended consequences? It is trivially easy to see things as "obvious" in hindsight, which were not actually, prior. Did you read the evidence Grok gave, at least? Lots of citations in there.