President Donald Trump warned Tuesday that Vladimir Putin is “playing with fire” by continuing to wage all-out war on Ukraine; Putin responded Wednesday by issuing his conditions for ending the war in Ukraine — basically the same list he’s demanded since before he invaded three years ago, adding up to Kyiv’s total surrender. 

“If it weren’t for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia,” Trump had warned; clearly, it’s time to start making at least some of those bad things happen.

Putin’s list is supposedly his basis for starting peace talks in Istanbul next month — but it’s really meant to sabotage those negotiations.

And the comment from Vlad’s pet, Dmitry Medvedev, is telling bluster: “I only know of one REALLY BAD thing — WWIII. I hope Trump understands this.”

Hey, such threats moved President Joe Biden to withhold vital aid to Ukraine; Moscow figures it’s worth seeing if it can psych out Trump as easily.

Trump says he’ll give Putin two more weeks to prove he’s willing to take measurable steps toward peace, but the president’s patience is clearly running out.

Time to line up “bad thing” No. 1: the bipartisan Senate “secondary sanctions” bill.

With zero coverage by elite media, Trump brokered this month’s cease-fire between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan; he may yet pull off a peace in Ukraine.  

But first he needs to face down the bluffs and bring Putin to his senses.