Imagine a scenario instead, where Putin secretly offers weapons to the rural areas of South Africa.
Geopolitics is very much like the game Risk.
How does Trump respond?
Does he support the government of South Africa in their land grab attempt, to counter Russia’s influence, or do nothing. Does he side with the land owners and become a “racist”? Puts a big squeeze on Trump, for sure.
Probably costs Putin nothing compared to the money he has spent in Syria.