Donald Trump has once again taken the world by surprise with a sudden and contradictory stance on Russia. In a move that left political analysts baffled, the former president went from threatening new sanctions against Moscow to blaming Ukraine for the ongoing conflict—all within a matter of hours.
The unexpected shift, delivered via Trump’s Truth Social account, has raised questions about his true position on Russia’s aggression and what this could mean for U.S. foreign policy.
Trump’s Mixed Signals on Russia
On Friday, Trump posted that he was “strongly considering” imposing large-scale banking sanctions and tariffs on Russia due to its continued assault on Ukraine. He cited reports of intensified Russian attacks and urged both nations to negotiate a ceasefire.
“To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late. Thank you!!!” he wrote.
At first glance, this seemed like a rare tough stance from Trump against Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, within hours, his rhetoric took a drastic turn during a press conference, where he appeared to sympathize with Russia’s actions and suggested that Ukraine bore responsibility for the ongoing war.
Did Trump Just Justify Putin’s Actions?
When asked whether Putin was exploiting the U.S. pause on military aid to Ukraine, Trump responded in a way that many saw as validating Russia’s aggression.
“I actually think he’s doing what anybody else would do,” Trump said. “I think he wants to get it stopped and settled, and I think he’s hitting ’em harder than he’s been hitting ’em. And I think probably anybody in that position would be doing that right now.”
These comments sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles, as they appeared to suggest that Putin’s continued offensive was understandable—if not justified.
Trump’s remarks also reinforced concerns about his consistent downplaying of Russia’s role in the conflict. Despite his initial suggestion of sanctions, he quickly pivoted to placing the burden of peace negotiations on Ukraine rather than the country responsible for the invasion.
A Pattern of Deference to Putin
This isn’t the first time Trump has shown reluctance to hold Russia accountable. His administration previously sought ways to ease sanctions on Russian oligarchs, and he has often praised Putin’s leadership. Even now, as Ukraine fights for its survival, Trump continues to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy instead of confronting Putin directly.
During the press conference, Trump even suggested that negotiating with Ukraine was harder than dealing with Russia, claiming, “I’m finding it more difficult, frankly, to deal with Ukraine.”
Meanwhile, Putin remains firm in his stance. Just a day before Trump’s mixed messages, the Russian leader declared that his forces would not retreat from occupied Ukrainian territories and insisted that any peace deal must secure Russia’s long-term security interests.
What’s the Real Motive?
Trump’s rapid shift has left many speculating about his true intentions. Was his initial talk of sanctions merely a strategic distraction? Or is this another case of his well-documented admiration for authoritarian leaders influencing his foreign policy views?
Whatever the reason, one thing is clear: his latest comments will only deepen the skepticism surrounding his approach to Russia. As the world watches the ongoing war, Trump’s unpredictable stance could have serious consequences for global diplomacy.
