Tarz Press: In his new book War, prominent American journalist Bob Woodward delves into Vladimir Putin’s interactions with three U.S. Presidents: Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden. He explains how Putin has used complex deception tactics to gain diplomatic and strategic advantages.
Woodward, citing multiple intelligence reports and interviews with senior security officials, argues that Putin has skillfully exploited America’s domestic politics and emotions to manipulate U.S. Presidents to his advantage.
William Burns, Director of the CIA, stated: Putin is regarded as a master of deception among global leaders. He has adeptly exploited personal and political weaknesses, advancing his policies in a subtle manner (New York Times).
Putin’s Interaction with Obama: Cyber Attacks and the Ukraine Crisis
During Barack Obama’s presidency, Putin engaged aggressively, particularly in cyber activities and regional policies. The 2016 U.S. election cyberattacks are one of the clearest examples. According to reports, Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election, concluded that Putin personally ordered the attacks to influence the election in Trump’s favor (Washington Post, 2019).
Moreover, the 2014 Ukraine crisis and the annexation of Crimea marked another pivotal moment in U.S.-Russia relations. Daniel Fried, former U.S. ambassador to Poland and a foreign policy expert, wrote in Foreign Affairs: Obama consistently tried to pressure Putin through negotiations and sanctions, but Putin never showed any willingness to back down. Ultimately, the U.S. failed to prevent his aggressive actions.
Trump and Putin: A Strange and Questionable Relationship
Donald Trump, whose stance toward Putin has been widely criticized, frequently spoke of the “respect” between them. In an interview with Woodward, Trump said, “Putin respects me, and I respect him. We understand each other” (Washington Post, 2020). This view contradicted those of many U.S. security officials. Dan Coats, former Director of National Intelligence, told Woodward: It remains a mystery to me why Trump has such a close relationship with Putin, even when it’s clear Putin is playing him.
One of the most critical moments in Trump-Putin relations was their 2018 summit in Helsinki. Instead of endorsing U.S. intelligence findings on Russian election interference, Trump publicly defended Putin, stating: “Putin strongly denies the interference, and I don’t see why it would be Russia” (CNN, 2018). This statement sparked outrage among U.S. officials and raised serious concerns about Trump’s relationship with his own intelligence services.
Putin and Biden: Tensions over Ukraine and Complex Relations
When Joe Biden took office in 2021, he adopted a tougher stance toward Putin. In October 2022, Biden expressed concern in a private meeting about Putin’s nuclear threats, saying, “I know Putin, and when he talks about the potential use of tactical and nuclear weapons, he’s not joking” (New York Post, 2020). According to intelligence analysts, Biden’s remarks underscored the significant challenge the U.S. faces in dealing with Russia.
During his meetings with Biden, Putin consistently avoided addressing key issues, such as Ukraine. For example, in their 2021 meeting, while Putin had 11,000 troops stationed near the Ukrainian border, he dismissed Biden’s questions about the situation and instead asked, “Why did you leave Afghanistan?” (Washington Post). This maneuver was a clear attempt to deflect attention from Russia’s aggression and highlight U.S. foreign policy failures.
Putin’s Strategy: Alternating Between Humiliation and Flattery
One of Putin’s consistent tactics in dealing with global leaders is using a mix of humiliation and flattery to gain psychological control. Angela Merkel, former German Chancellor, recounted that during a 2007 meeting, Putin brought his large dog into the room, knowing that Merkel was afraid of dogs. This move was widely seen as an act of intimidation and psychological manipulation (Financial Times).
In contrast, during a 2022 meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Putin managed to unofficially secure Johnson’s acknowledgment that “Ukraine will not join NATO.” Johnson later admitted that Putin had “trapped” him (The Guardian).
Conclusion: Putin as a Cunning Global Player
Through his psychological tactics and deception, Putin has skillfully shaped international policies to his advantage, exploiting the divisions and weaknesses of global politicians. In his dealings with U.S. Presidents, Putin has shown how he can use psychological games, flattery, and humiliation to deceive even the world’s most powerful leaders and secure significant diplomatic gains.
As John Bolton, former U.S. National Security Advisor, noted: Putin carefully monitors his adversaries’ moves and seizes every opportunity to expose their weaknesses. He is a master strategist who always thinks several steps ahead.
