Strategy won’t help U.S. influence NATO countries to deliver on money or anything else. But will satisfy president’s domestic concerns, and, incidentally, amuse Putin. There are more effective ways for POTUS to throw off the yoke of ‘soft on Russia’ accusations =>https://twitter.com/PhilipRucker/status/1016983258679185408 …
To me, the question isn't the point POTUS is making but the manner in which he is making it. As an aside it doesn't explain away his own coddling of Putin. But your underlying point has merit.