Imagine if you will, a high-stakes poker game where Zelenskyy and Putin are sitting at the table, their poker faces on full display. Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy tosses in a 20-point proposal like it’s the latest winning card, hoping to negotiate some kind of security assurance to bring this tedious game to a close. Meanwhile, President Putin looks on unamused, likely unimpressed with what’s on offer. One wonders if Putin’s holding out for something more exciting than a reduced list of demands.

Now let’s talk about this game from the sidelines. The United States seems like an unwitting player, constantly upping the ante, dishing out billions like they’re holding Monopoly money. American taxpayers are starting to get a bit itchy with all the dollars flying overseas. After all, it’s not every day you get front-row seats to a geopolitical match that started, as some might say, because of a “hoax.” Remember that? The infamous “Russia Hoax,” where political maneuvers turned into foreign policy needs. Some might find humor in how past bluffs are still impacting current outcomes.

While Zelenskyy dreams of fortified zones and security blankets, one can’t help but chuckle at the irony. The idea seems simple—just promise never to fight again, throw in some land disputes on the side, and surely peace can be brokered, right? Well, apparently not when President Putin holds a grudge and regards the land at stake as his big prize.

And speaking of prizes, let’s not forget this isn’t just an Eastern European showdown. Apparently, Europe should be holding a bigger piece of the responsibility pie. While they sit comfortably across the pond, it’s the American taxpayers footing the bill for this high stakes drama. Yet, Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy know who’s truly paying for the main event. Europe might nod along at press conferences, but when it comes to who’s going to shove in the big chips, it seems only Uncle Sam is at the ready.

As we watch this saga unfold, the old “Russia Hoax” whispers in the background like a ghost of foreign policy past. While some might chuckle at its mention, others see it as a cautionary tale. It’s a reminder that international relations aren’t just about who holds the most nuclear codes but also about how past bluffs and strategies continue to influence present decisions. Until the dust settles, Americans are left wondering just how many more chips they’ll have to throw into this ring.