Many Russians close to the Kremlin are hopeful that President Donald J. Trump can help end the war in Ukraine on terms favorable to Russia. They believe that Trump’s unconventional approach to foreign policy could potentially lead to positive outcomes for Russia in the conflict. However, despite this optimism, there is also a sense of disappointment among Kremlin insiders regarding Trump’s first term.
During his first term, Trump did not deliver the results that many Russians had hoped for. Despite his friendly rhetoric towards Russia and President Vladimir Putin, Trump’s administration imposed sanctions on Russia, expelled diplomats, and provided military aid to Ukraine. These actions were seen as contrary to Russia’s interests and left many Kremlin insiders feeling let down by the Trump administration.
Despite the disappointment of Trump’s first term, some Russians close to the Kremlin are still holding out hope for positive changes in a potential second term. They believe that Trump’s unconventional approach to diplomacy could lead to a breakthrough in negotiations with Ukraine and the end of the conflict on terms favorable to Russia. However, there is also a recognition that Trump’s track record on delivering promises to Russia is mixed, leading to a cautious optimism among Kremlin insiders.
The war in Ukraine has been a longstanding issue for Russia, with Moscow supporting separatist rebels in Eastern Ukraine and facing condemnation from the international community for its actions. Many in Russia see a resolution to the conflict as a key foreign policy goal, and believe that Trump’s presidency could potentially provide an opportunity to achieve this goal. However, the disappointment of his first term has tempered expectations for what a second term could bring.
Overall, the sentiment among Russians close to the Kremlin towards Trump’s potential role in ending the war in Ukraine is a mix of optimism and caution. While there is hope that his unconventional approach to diplomacy could lead to positive outcomes for Russia, there is also a recognition of the limitations of his past actions and the need for a realistic assessment of what he can realistically achieve. In the end, only time will tell if Trump can live up to the expectations of Kremlin insiders and deliver a resolution to the conflict on terms favorable to Russia.
