Wed May 28 10:35:10 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:
**Headline: Expert Says Putin “Testing the Waters” with Trump Amid Ukraine Crisis**
**Washington, D.C.** – As Russia continues its military actions in Ukraine, questions are swirling around former President Donald Trump’s response and his long-standing relationship with Vladimir Putin. Mark Storella, a former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, suggests Putin is “testing the waters” with Trump, carefully observing his reactions to the unfolding crisis.
Storella’s analysis focuses on Trump’s past pronouncements regarding Putin, which have often been viewed as unusually favorable. He believes Putin is gauging how far he can push given Trump’s public sentiments.
A key concern is whether the severity of the situation will finally prompt Trump to support meaningful sanctions against Russia. Storella suggests the international pressure and the scale of the Ukrainian conflict may force Trump’s hand, but emphasizes the need to monitor his future statements and actions closely. The expert urges continued scrutiny of the dynamic between Trump and Putin in light of the evolving crisis.