On the eve of the Putin-Trump summit, the Kremlin propaganda is on the upswing, in a way that is unprecedented in modern American history. Putin’s bullhorns, highly skilled at conjuring up fake stories, now get their best storylines from real life. The most shocking agitprop is currently created by amplifying the abnormal attempts to normalize the U.S. relations with Russia and spicing them up with a generous helping of disinformation.

To keep the enormity of what is happening in perspective, recall that Russia invaded Ukraine (where its aggression continues to date), annexed Crimea, downed the Malaysian flight MH17, continues to prop up the Assad regime, in spite of chemical attacks and the ongoing massacre of civilians, supports Hamas and Hezbolla, arms the Taliban, was linked to Novichok poisonings in the UK, mass disinformation campaigns, cyber attacks and election interference in the U.S. and Europe. After being sanctioned for their malign activities, the Russians scoffed at the sanctions.

Putin’s Russia refused to do anything to acknowledge or remedy their ongoing malign activities. They’ve repeatedly reiterated that Trump is “theirs” (“Трамп наш,” which could have a twofold meaning: in a sense that the U.S. President is on their side, or in a sense that he is “owned” by the Russians), using that claim to build an expectation that Trump would either lift the sanctions or sabotage their implementation.

#Russia's state TV: Alexander Losev, Member of the Presidium of the Russian Council on Foreign and Defense Policy, says that Trump had nothing to do w/ authoring #NSS2017, which was written 2 years ago.

Host adds: "Because Trump is ours. He wouldn't have anything to do with it." pic.twitter.com/FrC5FOdvLW — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) December 19, 2017

#Russia's state TV:

Female host: "Seemingly, Trump is ours again. So far, he's being quiet and not supporting the sanctions."

Male host: "Well, it seems that way." pic.twitter.com/R9Wu5kYwkR — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) January 30, 2018

#Russia's favorite part of the newly signed #sanctions bill.

They're clinging to the last hope that #Trump will sabotage the implementation. pic.twitter.com/vLKoYjbzTF — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) August 4, 2017

#Russia's state TV: Boris Nadezhdin points out that The Kremlin Report represents Trump spitting upon the decision of the Congress & his outright sabotage of the legislation, as it could have been copied from a phone book and financial publications; doesn't contain required info. pic.twitter.com/vQ3yj5KOOF — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) January 30, 2018

Politicians, experts on Russian state TV discuss many ways in which they hope Trump may sabotage/challenge/fail to implement new sanctions. pic.twitter.com/Lq2HF8xh0e — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) August 2, 2017

While the Russians publicly mocked the sanctions and claimed that they had no impact, state media discussed the topic of the sanctions potentially being lifted ad nauseam. Since Congress stood in the way, the Russians said they should simply “elect their own U.S. Congress.”

Russia's state TV re: challenges posed by Congress forcing Trump to sign sanctions. Host concludes:"We need to elect our own U.S. Congress." pic.twitter.com/ztc5lJHax6 — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) August 2, 2017

One year later, the Russian propaganda machine received a massive boost, when eight (8) American lawmakers (Senator John N. Kennedy (R-La.), Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), Senator Steve Daines (R-MT), Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), Senator John Thune (R-SD), Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-TX) and Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI)) traveled to Moscow, choosing to celebrate America’s independence in Russia over the 4th of July. Steve Daines was the only one who departed Russia early, in order to accompany President Trump on his flight to Montana.

The Russians immediately announced that the very fact the delegation traveled to Russia, instead of isolating the Kremlin for its continued destructive behavior, constitutes a concession on the part of the United States – and Russia didn’t have to do a thing to earn it.

#Russia's state TV:

Chairman of Foreign Affairs Comm Konstantin Kosachev, who is under U.S. sanctions, says that the mere fact of GOP lawmakers traveling to Russia is a concession, since the US previously pledged to isolate Russia for Crimea, etc., but they changed that position. pic.twitter.com/2m65detY42 — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) July 4, 2018

MP Vyacheslav Nikonov (the grandson of Vyacheslav Molotov — Stalin’s protege and signatory on the 1939 pact with Nazi Germany) said that only 6 months ago, such a visit would be unconscionable. He added that in the recent past, U.S. lawmakers refused to communicate with their Russian counterparts even over Skype, as that would amount to political suicide. He gleefully added that it’s no longer the case, since Trump seems to have escaped Mueller’s trap and is renewing his plight to engage in dialogue with Russia.

#Russia's state TV:

MP Vyacheslav Nikonov, who met w/ U.S. Senators during their 4th of July trip to Russia, says:

"Arrival of the Senators is a very serious sign. 6 months ago, U.S. lawmakers refused to engage even over Skype, it would be political suicide — but not anymore."©️ pic.twitter.com/8JfVfRySZe — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) July 9, 2018

Kremlin propagandists seized upon the opportunity to point out that the U.S. – not Russia – was initiating the conciliatory efforts.

#Russia's state TV host points out that Russian lawmakers neither invited their US counterparts to Russia (Huntsman did), nor have shown up at the US Embassy for the 4th of July celebration. Kremlin propagandists reiterate the US—not Russia—is initiating conciliatory efforts. ©️ pic.twitter.com/naRrg3hLHf — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) July 8, 2018

Putin’s state TV ridiculed the lawmakers’ claim they were coming to examine the impact of the U.S. sanctions on the Russian economy. State Duma Deputy Leonid Kalashnikov mockingly asked: “Were they going to do that from St. Petersburg? Maybe from the Hermitage or the Red Square?” Kalashnikov said that the sanctions were wrecking the Russian economy, but not in any of the places visited by the U.S. lawmakers during their brief stay.

Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachev said that none of the 4th of July visitors professionally deal with Russia and therefore, he had “to conduct a literacy campaign” to deliver some rudimentary knowledge to the U.S. Senators and Congresswoman. This provided yet another boon for Russian propaganda, reinforcing the recurring theme of “stupid Americans” that has been prevalent in the Russian state media and political circles for decades.

#Russia's state TV: Politician says most U.S. Senators/Congressmen— like majority of their voters —have never been out of the country, couldn't find Ukraine on a map.

Host asks: "Is it just a gathering of idiots?"

[Beloved Russian theme of "stupid Americans" is always in fashion] pic.twitter.com/zMB2jQCiKy — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) December 14, 2017

RT's editor-in-chief mocks Americans on state TV: "Their level of knowledge is lower than the baseboard, most can't find Russia on the map." pic.twitter.com/v2bZBYqtPk — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) October 4, 2017

#Russia's state TV:

"Americans may not know any smart words, but a mere couple of sentences is enough to order a [nuclear] attack." pic.twitter.com/5aN1IouqAx — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) September 22, 2017

RT's editor-in-chief talks about Americans on #Russia's state TV:

"With their incredible level of ignorance, they want to rule the world." pic.twitter.com/rGw50OCFKt — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) October 4, 2017

RT's editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan: Americans have such low education/knowledge levels — below the baseboard— they'll believe anything. pic.twitter.com/KhiXJmYSTd — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) October 16, 2017

The Russians speculated that Trump’s hands were finally untied in his dealings with Russia, since he is feeling invincible with respect to the outcome of the Mueller investigation.

#Russia's state TV:

Chairman of Foreign Affairs Comm Konstantin Kosachev says that Trump is convinced that Mueller can't catch him — only #Manafort.

Therefore, the "red lines" in dealing with Russia that were there at the start of his presidency are no longer holding him back. pic.twitter.com/ILupXU6SOg — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) July 6, 2018

Therefore, they surmised, Trump is about to get back to “his election promises” to “get along with Russia.”

#Russia's state TV:

Politician Aleksey Zhuravlyov, deputy of the State Duma, chairman of the party 'Motherland,' says that even though Trump surrounds himself with ardent Russophobes, his actions demonstrate that he intends to follow through with his election promises. pic.twitter.com/rBIpb8Filh — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) June 21, 2018

Kremlin-controlled state TV predicted that Putin would have to educate Trump about Crimea, which would subsequently lead to the official U.S. recognition of the Ukrainian peninsula as “Russian.” Trump has proven to be remarkably susceptible to Russian propaganda about Crimea in the past, reportedly stating that “Crimea is Russian, because everyone who lives there speaks Russian.”

#Russia's state TV:

Panelist says Putin will finally educate "political neophyte" Trump about Crimea, disclosing "the facts that have been hidden from him," and giving Trump advice about other world leaders, while looking "his only political equal on the planet" in the eye. pic.twitter.com/vPpnIjON4w — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) June 27, 2018

Female host specifies: "He'll recognize Crimea as Russian and improve relations with Russia. That's what we're hoping for."

Male host: "Super!"https://t.co/tMHe5eiBXd — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) June 21, 2018

The Russians rejoice, as the isolation seems to be over. Trump’s commentary about Crimea reinforced the Kremlin’s belief that the annexation would be accepted by the U.S.

#Russia's state media writes that "the world definitely needs a new map," specifically referencing Trump's comments about the possibility of recognizing Crimea as Russian. The Kremlin pretty much regards this concession as a given. pic.twitter.com/q7Tvd9JKMC — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) June 30, 2018

#Russia's state TV:

Participants discuss @BuzzFeed report that Trump told G7 leaders "Crimea is Russian, because everyone who lives there speaks Russian." They interpret it as Trump's recognition of Crimea's status.

The hosts triumphantly declare: "Crimea is ours, Trump is ours!" pic.twitter.com/kOhrIodHU7 — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) June 15, 2018

#Russia's state TV reports that Trump did not rule out recognizing #Crimea as Russian. When he was asked by reporters whether the U.S. would accept Russia’s claim on the territory it unlawfully annexed from #Ukraine in 2014, Trump replied: “We’re going to have to see.” pic.twitter.com/Ssxav40wbo — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) June 30, 2018

#Russia's state TV hosts say that Trump keeps bringing up #Crimea, because things are proceeding "according to the Baltic scenario" (where the U.S. "didn't really recognize the Baltic states as part of the USSR, but came to accept it anyhow.") pic.twitter.com/Qi4c0QToUX — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) July 3, 2018

According to the Russian state media, not only would there be no need for the Kremlin to concede anything, but the U.S. could be treated as the genuflecting party that “wants something” and therefore will have to make concessions.

#Russia's state TV:

Igor Korotchenko, member of the Defense Ministry’s public advisory council, talks about GOP Senators coming to Russia and the Trump-Putin summit:

"The Russians should look down upon the Americans, like the USSR did… You came to us, because YOU need it." pic.twitter.com/a5mrPf7lIg — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) July 4, 2018

Russian state TV reiterated that the U.S. lawmakers were in Russia to enable Trump to make deals with Russia and to lift the sanctions.

#Russia's state TV speculates that GOP lawmakers are in Russia, because Congress previously limited Trump's power to lift the sanctions, now he needs to convince Congress to reverse that legislation. They say this "important visit" will lead to the "creeping removal of sanctions" pic.twitter.com/ToePb12hS7 — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) July 3, 2018

#Russia's state TV:

The host, Vladimir Soloviev, who frequently boasts of being friends with Putin, jokes that perhaps Trump and his representatives are traveling to Russia "to make deals with our hackers, so they can rig the midterms in favor of Trump's team." pic.twitter.com/Xak9cNvFpo — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) June 26, 2018

U.S. lawmakers played right into the hands of the Russians, when they disallowed the press into the room where the bulk of discussions was taking place.

Kremlin agitprop 101:

Hold a meeting w/ GOP lawmakers in a secret room, exclude the press. Say Crimea was never mentioned.

Have Sergey Kislyak (described by U.S. intelligence officials as a top spy and recruiter of spies) say there was no conspiracy.

Propaganda bingo achieved. pic.twitter.com/Qp17aOIH9Y — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) July 5, 2018

U.S. lawmakers further undermined their own credibility when they sat down to be interviewed by the Russian state media on the 4th of July. Senators Shelby and Thune claimed that Russia is America’s competitor, as opposed to adversary. Even the Russian host felt the need to correct that mistaken notion.

Appearing on #Russia's state TV, @SenJohnThune echoes @SenShelby, claims that Russia is our competitor, not our adversary. The host asks whether they rehearsed that statement together, plays Shelby's clip for comparison. The host clarifies: US-Russia relations ARE adversarial.©️ pic.twitter.com/5dp1jBXT5q — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) July 8, 2018

Having emerged from their Independence Day pilgrimage to Moscow, U.S. lawmakers are claiming that they’ve delivered a strong message to the Russians. On the other hand, the Russians say the lawmakers changed their rhetoric and “quieted down” while interfacing with their Russian counterparts.

Igor Morozov, member of the Federation Council, mocks Shelby for suddenly changing his previously tough posture regarding Russia:

"One of the main initiators of anti-Russian sanctions… he now says we’re a superpower & competitors… You bet we are competitors, in every area." pic.twitter.com/LW9UUUDbcN — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) July 4, 2018

#Russia's state TV:

Konstantin Kosachev, chairman of Russia's Foreign Affairs Committee, who was present during meetings with GOP lawmakers, says that when it was Kennedy's turn to speak, he had absolutely nothing to say. Kennedy previously promised to deliver a "tough message." pic.twitter.com/0vdTMQI7qM — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) July 3, 2018

Vyacheslav Nikonov said he had met with many American lawmakers in years past and that this meeting “was one of the easiest ones in my life.” https://t.co/IS6mH3eRHK — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) July 3, 2018

The U.S. lawmakers claim they brought up the Crimea, while the Russians allege that Crimea was never mentioned. The lawmakers say Syria was discussed, but the Russians say the American’s have no clue as to what they even want with respect to Syria. The lawmakers assert they brought up the topic of Ukraine, the Russians claim they privately complained about being bored with Ukraine and feeling tired of the Ukrainian lobbyists constantly asking for money.

Russian lawmakers and the state media are clearly seizing the opportunity to insert blatant disinformation into the information vacuum that was created by private meetings, without any members of the press or official records of the exchanges. For example, Crimea was discussed and the talking points about “everyone being tired of Ukraine,” because it’s constantly “asking for money” are merely a repetition of common propaganda narratives, frequently reiterated by the Russian state media. The assertion that the visiting lawmakers privately voiced such “complaints” is preposterous.

Obvious falsehoods by Russian politicians and state media notwithstanding, by disallowing the press or a notetaker to document the precise content of exchanges with their Russian counterparts, the U.S. lawmakers enabled the Kremlin to control the narrative – not to mention, presented themselves as patsies for bad optics aplenty.

U.S. Senators @SenShelby & @SenJohnThune celebrate the 4th of July in #Russia, where the Russian anthem is played at the US Embassy to the delight of RT's editor-in-chief; sit down for interviews w/ Russia's state TV— the Kremlin is certainly enjoying this propaganda jackpot. ©️ pic.twitter.com/M8qOHnOeZE — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) July 8, 2018

Bad optics continued, when Senator Steve Daines returned to the U.S. and joined President Trump on his trip to Montana, where Trump exclaimed that “Putin is fine.”

Having just returned from Russia, tonight @SteveDaines will be accompanying Trump on his flight from Washington, DC to Montana. Would anyone like to guess what they'll talk about? pic.twitter.com/jAQCf11d6B — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) July 5, 2018

Senator Ron Johnson said that he is open to revisiting the sanctions against Russia, since they aren’t “really working all that well.” A note to the Senator: if the sanctions weren’t working, the Kremlin wouldn’t be so desperate to have them removed by hook or by crook.

The Russian propaganda machine is relishing another upcoming gift: Trump’s much-anticipated tête-à-tête with Putin. Part of the summit will exclude aides and advisors, allowing the Russians to speculate that “secret verbal deals” will be made. Just as with the U.S. lawmakers, lack of transparency will be aggressively exploited by the Kremlin for its agitprop.

#Russia's state TV:

Politicians & experts reiterate their belief that Trump & Putin will enter into a "secret verbal agreement," wherein Trump will look the other way w/ respect to #Ukraine. Political scientist: “Agenda for the Trump-Putin summit should omit the word “Ukraine.”” pic.twitter.com/BcduICUEZk — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) June 23, 2018

#Russia's state TV:

Yury Afonin, member of the State Duma, says that the main intrigue – in light of Trump's recent comments about Ukraine – is the likelihood of Trump and Putin entering into a secret verbal agreement during their upcoming get-together. pic.twitter.com/u2WF7YXMmN — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) June 21, 2018

The Kremlin believes that Trump is merely seeking a deal – any deal – with Russia, to create the impression that he outdid his predecessors. Russian state media often discusses this notion:

#Russia's state TV:

Panelist argues that Trump is an extremely vain person and as long as he can make some kind of a deal with Russia – while his predecessors couldn't – his ego will be satisfied. pic.twitter.com/ACHt4ich3q — Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) June 27, 2018

The Kremlin is ready to oblige, reportedly preparing “at least one deal they hope will let President Donald Trump tout his summit with Vladimir Putin as a triumph that justifies steps to repair relations.”

While the deal itself is unlikely to be earth-shattering, the vacuum of a closed meeting will be surrounded by speculation and promptly populated with Russian disinformation. The lack of transparency inevitably provides the opportunity for the Kremlin to fill every nook and cranny with misrepresentations, exaggerations and outright lies. The Russian propaganda machinery is revving up to do just that on the eve of the Trump-Putin summit.