Donald Trump’s reversal on Russia stems from a strategic shift: his administration now seeks to use Russia as a counterweight to China, aiming to split the Sino-Russian partnership and isolate Beijing. This approach marks a break from decades of U.S. policy that prioritized containing Moscow and supporting Ukraine.
Trump’s new stance has included rolling back sanctions, halting offensive cyber operations against Russia, and publicly distancing the U.S. from Ukraine, even suggesting that Kyiv and Moscow should resolve the conflict without American involvement. He has also echoed Kremlin narratives, blamed Ukraine’s leadership for the war, and shown reluctance to use U.S. economic power to pressure Russia, despite bipartisan moves in Congress for harsher sanctions.
Whether he is serious remains uncertain. Trump’s rhetoric and actions have shifted rapidly, often contradicting his earlier promises to end the war “in 24 hours”. So far, there’s little evidence of concrete demands or concessions from Russia in exchange for this policy shift, and his unpredictability—suspending and reinstating aid, shifting negotiation deadlines—has left allies and adversaries wary of his long-term intentions.
