I think Trump was a stepping stone. He needed Trump to destabilize Nato and Trump did that. Trump would’ve completely pulled out of Nato if he won a second term and they would’ve gladly let the US go because they lost confidence in the US. I think he would’ve loved for Trump to stay because then attacking Ukraine would’ve been so easy. Trump would not have stood in his way. With Trump losing it seems Putin forgot one thing.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend. And so he wasn’t counting on Nato not only getting reinforced and tightening its ties with the US but other counties near Russia are now considering joining Nato and are helping Ukraine out.
Another thing Putin didn’t count on is the reaction of everyday Americans. These aren’t Brown or Black people he’s killing. He’s killing Blond, blue-eyed people. Grandparents and children alike. So even the right-wing racist aren’t fond of this idea. And they may not like Biden but I think a lot of them know this would’ve still happened under Trump and I think a lot of them now see how Trump actually encouraged this to happen by being really lenient and weak with his reponse to despots.
Eventually Putin would’ve turned on Trump because I think Putin has the desire to be a world leader like Hitler.