Calling Putin Bluff? President Trump Gives President Zelensky Ride To Moscow On Air Force One. Providing Security Guarantee, But Unlike Tessio
Calling A Bluff? President Trump Should Give President Zelensky Ride To Moscow On Air Force One. Providing Security Guarantee, But Unlike Tessio
The invitation to visit Moscow from Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation (2000-2008 and 2012-2030), to Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine (2019-2024; term extended due to imposition of martial law in 2022), may not be outlandish after a first optical taste is fully digested.
The obvious issue is the safety of President Zelensky while he is transiting the airspace of the Russian Federation and on the ground in Moscow. Can his safety be guaranteed? Perhaps, yes.
What if Donald Trump, President of the United States (2017-2021 and 2025-2029), escorts President Zelensky to Moscow?
They would travel in Air Force One. They would use the Beast vehicle for movements on the ground in Moscow. Agents of the United States Secret Service and Ukraine Guard Administration would guard them.
“Does it make sense to meet with the current administration [Zelensky]? We could do- I’ve never refused to do that if that leads to some positive outcomes… Donald [Trump] asked me if it was possible. I said, ‘Yes, it was possible.’ I said, ‘Let him come to Moscow.’” President Putin (4 September 2025)
“If you want no meeting, invite me to Moscow.” President Zelensky (4 September 2025)
NOTE: President Zelensky initially opposed the ceasefire proposed by Trump and initially opposed participation by the government of Ukraine in the first Russian Federation-Ukraine bilateral held in Istanbul, Turkiye. He relented.
“We had some good meetings over the years, and we hope to have that in the future. But let's do the most productive one right now.” President Trump (15 August 2025)
“Again, Mr. President, thank you very much. And we'll speak to you very soon and probably see you again very soon. Next time in Moscow.” President Putin (15 August 2025)
“Oh, that's an interesting one. I'll get a little heat on that one.” President Trump (15 August 2025)
In the motion picture, The Godfather (1972), there is a cemetery scene where Salvatore Tessio, a caporegime (capo) in the Corleone crime family offers to provide security to Michael Corleone, the new head of the crime family, at a meeting with a rival. He is betraying Michael Corleone.
TESSIO: Mike, could I have a minute?
TESSIO: Barzini wants to arrange a meeting. Says we can straighten any of our problems out.
MICHAEL: He talked to you?
TESSIO: (nods) I can arrange security.
“Whoever comes to you with this Barzini meeting, he’s the traitor.” Vito Corleone (Michael’s father) shared with Michael Corleone before he died.
This is not to suggest that President Putin is channeling a 21st Century version of Salvatore Tessio’s offer to Michael Corleone. But, President Trump could well be the genuine guarantor of security for President Zelensky. And, President Trump has shared previously that a Putin-Trump-Zelensky trilateral will be needed.
This may be a moment for an optic that an optically-focused President Trump will be eager to embrace. Certainly a considerable risk, high reward proposition. For President Trump, Air Force One is a tool used to pursue objectives. Landing at Vnukovo International Airport (VKO) in Moscow with President Zelensky is precisely reflective of his political Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
