Trump administration aligns with Russia on Ukraine strategy

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 22 Oct, 19:09 · Archive

The Trump administration favours Vladimir Putin over Volodymyr Zelensky and wants Russia to win the war in Ukraine.

The Trump administration has pursued a consistent strategy favouring Russia over Ukraine, according to commentary in The i Paper. Trump envoy Steve Witkoff has travelled to St Petersburg for meetings with Putin after talks with Zelensky in Oslo. The administration has been relatively consistent in its approach to the conflict, favouring Putin over Zelensky and seeking a Russian victory.

Whilst some recent developments appear positive, such as the restoration of US intelligence-sharing with Ukraine to warn of ballistic missile attacks, The i Paper argues that the overall structural pattern of the administration's policy favours Russian interests. The i Paper reports that Witkoff declared thanks to Putin for what he called a 'humanitarian' gesture in releasing a retired American teacher, remarks characterised as heralding a new relationship between Trump and the Russian leader.

Technical talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States have been agreed to discuss peace, though The i Paper notes these will be talks about talks with major players absent and Ukraine's government likely unrepresented. Putin's stated conditions for peace remain Ukraine's surrender, replacement of the Zelensky government, neutralisation of Ukrainian forces and a pledge that Ukraine will not join Nato or the EU.

How it is being reported

• Ben Jennings on Donald Trump’s flattery of Vladimir Putin – cartoonContinue reading...The Guardian · 22 Oct, 18:38
• Putin is crowing right now. He’s in no mood to do anything Trump wantsEmboldened Putin knows how to exploit his new chumocracy with with the US PresidentThe i Paper · 22 Oct, 10:13
• The US is now on Putin’s side. Welcome to the new Axis of EvilIan Dunt: The White House and the Kremlin share an ideological agenda, a worldview and a geopolitical strategyThe i Paper · 21 Oct, 12:26

In this story: Donald Trump · Vladimir Putin · Volodymyr Zelensky · Steve Witkoff · Russia · Ukraine · United States

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem