In early 2017, American intelligence agencies concluded that President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia orchestrated a campaign to undermine the recent American presidential election. The assessment indicated that Putin aimed to erode American confidence in its electoral process and to challenge a U.S.-led "liberal world order," which Russia perceives as a threat to its security. To achieve this, the intelligence found that Russia sought to assist Donald J. Trump in winning the election.
Eight years later, Trump, while meeting with Ukrainian President Voldymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office, dismissed the notion of Russian interference, labeling it a "phony witch hunt" and claiming both he and Putin were victims of this narrative. He expressed a sense of shared interests with Putin, viewing their adversaries as including Democratic lawmakers and European leaders.
The relationship between Trump and Putin has been the subject of extensive scrutiny by U.S. government investigations and media reports, revealing various theories regarding Trump's affinity for the Russian leader. Despite the lack of a singular explanation, Trump's actions in his early weeks back in office have largely aligned with Kremlin interests, raising concerns about his foreign policy direction.
Susan Miller, former head of counterintelligence at the C.I.A. and leader of the 2017 intelligence assessment, suggested that Trump's admiration for Putin stems from "autocrat envy," as Trump desires similar control over the U.S. government. Trump has accused Zelensky of instigating the war that began with Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, while also halting intelligence sharing with Ukraine and cutting foreign aid programs that oppose Russian influence.
Trump has framed his actions as necessary for bringing Russia to the negotiating table, yet he has pressured Zelensky for concessions more than he has with Putin. Recently, Trump threatened economic sanctions against Russia for its military actions in Ukraine but later defended Putin's actions as indicative of a desire for peace, criticizing Ukraine's motivation to end the conflict.
Experts have noted that the current situation reflects a significant shift in the U.S.-led international order, which Putin has long sought to dismantle. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov praised the Trump administration's policies, stating they align with Russia's vision. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey V. Lavrov presented a revisionist view of history, absolving the U.S. of instigating major historical conflicts.
Miller emphasized that the intelligence community was clear about Russia's intentions to disrupt the 2016 election, aiming to spread disinformation and create chaos. Despite thorough investigations, including one led by John Durham, no bias was found in the intelligence assessment. Trump's grievances regarding the "Russia hoax" have persisted, leading him to view Putin as an ally against perceived adversaries.
Over the years, Putin has influenced Trump's perspective on Ukraine, with both leaders expressing similar views on the conflict. During their first meeting in July 2017, Trump did not challenge Putin's disparaging remarks about Ukraine. Trump's subsequent impeachment in 2019, linked to a phone call with Zelensky, further radicalized his views toward Ukraine and the U.S. government.
This alignment of views has intensified since Trump's return to power, with his administration urging Ukraine to negotiate with Russia. Recently, Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized the Ukraine conflict as a "proxy war" between the U.S. and Russia, a sentiment echoed by Peskov, highlighting the growing convergence of positions between the White House and the Kremlin.