It used to be that when the US and Russia (USSR) had a disagreement you could look at both statements and just decipher the Cold War verbage for what it was. When they agreed, it was noteworthy and signalled a thawing in relations.
Now with Trump as President and Putin pulling his strings in some manner, it’s all back-asswards. When they disagree it’s noteworthy. Why are they disagreeing? Who knows. Are they coordinating the disagreement? Did Putin tell Trump to attack the WHO so Russia could look reasonable by comparison? Are they dividing an conquering? Is Putin just trying to make Trump look stupid? Why does he even have to try?
The gamesmanship here is a lot more random and complicated, and changes day to day it seems.
