Former U.S. president Donald Trump has lamented above all that the Kremlin might have been playing him on Ukraine. He has been nursing these worries for the last few months. This skepticism is arriving at a time when geopolitical tensions are worsening, and the Trump administration is adopting a tougher approach towards Russia. It brings to mind the recent phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This discussion created hopes that the Kremlin would soon be able to revert to its previous approach of relations with the U.S.
Dmitry Medvedev, a former Russian president and ally of Putin, lambasted Trump for his shifting position, characterizing him as “the talkative peacemaker who has now fully embarked on the war path against Russia.” Especially after their August meeting in Alaska, Trump’s affinity for Putin is concerning. At that meeting, the Kremlin held few concessions to make the costly diplomatic overture.
Trump’s abrupt decision to cancel a proposed summit with Putin in Budapest adds another layer of confusion. This cancellation is a big departure from Trump’s usual coddling of the Kremlin. His previous leniency had already earned him criticism for failing to do enough to stop Russian aggression.
Yet, in face of these tensions, Putin is still very much interested in projecting a narrative of strength and global presence. He needs to signal to Russians and the international community that he isn’t in a corner. This is critically important as he is under unprecedented current sanctions and an unsealed indictment for war crimes at the International Criminal Court. Russia’s economy, showing remarkable resilience, has developed a strong immunity to Western restrictions, particularly through its oil sector, which funds the Kremlin’s costly military endeavors in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has welcomed the recent U.S. measures, describing them as “very important” and crucial to “bringing Russia to the negotiating table.” His remarks mirror a larger desire for a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict, despite heightened emotions.
Given Trump’s history of coddling Putin and his public advocacy for U.S. relations with Russia, it’s anybody’s guess as to where we go from here. Onlookers have been quick to point out that Putin’s maximalist war goals are unacceptable, leaving an unstable and unpredictable landscape in which international diplomacy can thrive. The Kremlin’s pernicious influence on U.S. politics is currently the subject of intense scrutiny and investigation. On the other hand, Trump is threading a difficult political needle, dealing with the consequences of his past behavior and relations with Moscow.
As Trump is now deliberating what steps to take on the world stage, … At the same time, he is coming under more intense fire over his foreign policy and national security policies. Trump and Putin’s relationship has developed beyond personal chemistry. Today it is one of the most powerful levers on U.S. foreign policy and global stability.
