Why Putin needs Trump to win

In Ukraine, the fickle fortunes of war have turned in Russia's favor. The invaders have seized the military initiative, while a Trumpified Republican Party has thrown in doubt both America's commitment to a free Ukraine and our will to confront a new Russian imperialism. For the moment, however, GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has managed to unsnag more than $60 billion in long-stalled U.S. military aid that Ukraine desperately needs to defend itself against a Russian summer offensive. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov recently confirmed Moscow's plan to seize Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city. Exploiting their advantages in manpower and…