I mean they are literally fighting a war, thats sorta to be expected.

They dont need to say anything, after all; we all already know that it was strategically unimportant, and besides the Russians took a gorrilion casualties taking it, and that Ukraine is winning.

Saying that the bootlicking will be bittersweet would mean he enjoys it, i always thought of boot licking as a realpolitik sorta thing but honestly now that u mention it a lot of leaders in amerikkkan vassals do seem to love the boot.