Will Trump and Putin End the War?

CBS Eye on the World with John Batchelor

Germanicus and Gaius debate what Trump can make of Putin's readiness to talk about Ukraine; discuss Elon Musk as a disruptor such as Sulla, Cataline, Antony and Agrippa; and consider the failings of the Late Roman Republic.

We're coming into a new year, and we're enjoying a cup of wine and philosophizing about the 21st century, along with our own 1st century AD.

However, the attention must go to the promise of the new year with the new emperor in Washington, Mr. Trump, and an offer from the warlord of Eurasia—that would be Vladimir Putin.

The quote we're given is from the news in translation. Mr. Putin said in an annual press conference: “I have not talked to him [Mr. Trump] for more than four years. Of course, I'm ready to talk any time. I will be ready to meet with him if he wishes.”

A response from Mr. Trump is equally promising: “President Putin has said that he wants to meet with me as soon as possible,” Trump said during remarks at a convention several days past. “So we have to wait for this, but we have to end that war. That war is horrible. Horrible.”

We've recently speculated about how Alexander I and Napoleon could have worked out their dispute and not led to a continental crackup. However, right now it appears that Mr. Putin is in a mood to talk to Mr. Trump.

Is that a positive development and how should we see Mr. Trump handling this offer by the warlord of Eurasia?

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The opinions expressed on this website and on The John Batchelor Show are those of John Batchelor and guests, and not those of CBS News.