Marta Gichko 12:53, 25.01.26 UNIAN
Trump simultaneously threatens Moscow and presents it with new opportunities in global politics
Even in Moscow, they still can’t figure out whether to rejoice in US President Donald Trump or worry about his unpredictable policies. Talks between Russia, the US and Ukraine in the UAE have not yet yielded clear results, but it is already felt that Moscow is under pressure from the US president, The Times writes.
Friend or challenge?
“We were hoping to get commitments on territorial concessions, but in the end we had to agree with the Americans,” admitted one Russian foreign policy insider.
For the Kremlin, Trump is both a potential ally and a challenge. On the one hand, he is ready to use his influence to force Moscow to make concessions, but on the other, his policies, unpredictable and often selfish, create risks. Russia’s concessions go hand in hand with tough pressure on the Kremlin’s allies: from sanctions to interventions in Venezuela and Iran.
The Peace Council: Trap or Opportunity?
One of Trump’s latest initiatives was the Peace Council, to which Putin was invited. In Moscow, the new organization was perceived more as a trap than an opportunity: the majority of members and the steering committee are American, and Russia risks becoming just one of many participants, losing the privileged position that the UN Security Council provides it.
Although Putin has stated his willingness to pay a billion dollars for permanent membership, Moscow realizes that the new format emphasizes Russia’s dependence on the United States rather than its special status in the world.
Russia realizes that the world is a constant competition of great powers, where the most powerful pursue their interests by any means. Despite nuclear weapons, an army with combat experience, and significant resources, Russia is often forced to reckon with stronger powers.
Beijing can help, but only on favorable terms. India buys resources but is unwilling to fight for Moscow. Europe spends billions on Russian gas but does not guarantee strategic support. As a result, the Kremlin increasingly sees itself as a “middle power” that must maneuver carefully so as not to remain “on the menu” of global players.
USA and Russia – latest news
As UNIAN reported, despite Donald Trump’s obvious affection for Russia and Vladimir Putin, the American president’s obsession with the idea of lowering oil prices is playing to the detriment of the Kremlin.
The Times writes that the Kremlin’s ability to finance its war against Ukraine depends on oil and gas revenues. And recently, these revenues have been declining not only because of the sanctions regime, which is often criticized for being leaky, but also because of the general decline in global hydrocarbon prices. The latter is precisely what Donald Trump is seeking.
“Russia’s concessions go hand in hand with tough pressure on the Kremlin’s allies: from sanctions to interventions in Venezuela and Iran.”
What concessions? They have may no concessions whatsoever. TACO claimed mafia land are making concessions by not taking more Ukrainian territory. That’s not working out too well either.
What good is a peace council without Ukraine? I’d say, nothing. Then Zelensky can refuse joining such an exercise isn’t possible during war with a savage nation. Then that puts the savages in a negative light either way. Sometimes things are not what they first appear, especially when they’re filtered through people that have a biased agenda and filter out factors they don’t agree with. Reporters should report, period.
So, if Taco doesn’t hand the war criminals everything they ask for, they get confused about him?