Formerly isolated by the West, Russia is now watching a dramatic shift in U.S. policy with cautious optimism, as President Donald Trump reverses Washington’s approach to the Ukraine conflict.

For three years, the U.S. and its allies have worked to support Ukraine and sanction Russia. But within days, Trump’s administration has moved in the opposite direction, signaling a potential reset in U.S.-Russia relations.

Russia Welcomes, but Remains Wary

On February 18, senior U.S. and Russian officials met in Saudi Arabia to discuss ending the war in Ukraine and reviving ties between Washington and Moscow. The high-level talks came shortly after Trump’s phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a move many analysts say broke Russia’s international isolation.

Both Trump and Putin have expressed willingness to meet in person, with the White House suggesting a potential summit by the end of the month. Putin, however, signaled the need for proper groundwork, saying:

“Meetings just for coffee and small talk about the future are not enough. Our teams must be fully prepared to address critical issues for both the U.S. and Russia.”

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov echoed this sentiment:

“There is still much work to be done, but the initial steps are promising. It is too early to draw conclusions, but we see constructive momentum.”

U.S.-Ukraine Relations in Freefall

While U.S.-Russia relations improve, Washington’s ties with Kyiv are deteriorating rapidly. A war of words between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has escalated, exposing deep tensions.

After his call with Putin, Trump blamed Ukraine for starting the war and suggested Zelensky should step down since his presidential term technically expired in 2024. Both statements mirror Moscow’s rhetoric.

For years, Russia has argued that its military operation in Ukraine was necessary to protect national security from NATO expansion. More recently, the Kremlin has claimed that Zelensky is no longer a legitimate leader, as Ukraine postponed elections under martial law.

Zelensky rejected Trump’s narrative, accusing him of spreading Russian disinformation and helping Putin break free from Western isolation.

A day later, Trump fired back, calling Zelensky a “dictator who was never elected” and accusing him of manipulating the U.S. into sending billions of dollars for a war he cannot win.

Russian Officials React to Trump’s Rhetoric

Russian officials, once accustomed to U.S. hostility, now find themselves pleasantly surprised by Trump’s rhetoric.

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, reacted to Trump’s “dictator” remark about Zelensky, saying:

“If someone had told me three months ago that a U.S. president would say this, I would have laughed out loud.”

Russian newspaper Kommersant ran headlines such as “Ukraine Has Disappeared from the Picture”, while pro-Kremlin talk show host Vladimir Solovyov wrote:

“Game over. The casino is closing. It’s time to pay the bill or shoot yourself. There are no other options.”

Putin’s Strategic Calculations

According to Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center in Berlin, Putin is watching the situation unfold with great interest.

"This shift in U.S. policy, along with its impact on NATO and the transatlantic alliance, is something Putin finds extremely appealing," he said.

Meanwhile, Russian political analyst Abbas Gallyamov believes Moscow is working to convince Trump that the U.S. would benefit more by pressuring Ukraine and siding with Russia.

“They are offering Trump everything they can in exchange for turning his back on Ukraine,” Gallyamov said.

This could include cooperation on the Middle East, China, and Iran, as well as allowing U.S. oil companies to enter Russian Arctic projects.

“For Putin, Ukraine is the top priority. For Trump, it’s just one issue among many,” Gallyamov added.

Russian Hopes for Sanctions Relief

Another major concern for Moscow is Western sanctions, which have crippled Russia’s economy since the Ukraine invasion. These include:

• Frozen foreign reserves worth hundreds of billions of dollars

• Severe restrictions on Russian banks

• Oil export bans affecting Moscow’s revenue

Although Russia has adapted, sanctions have damaged its long-term economic growth.

Following the U.S.-Russia talks in Riyadh, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hinted that sanctions could eventually be lifted, saying:

“Sanctions were imposed because of the war. To end any conflict, both sides must compromise.”

This has sparked hope in Moscow. Boris Titov, a senior Kremlin advisor, said:

"Sanctions won’t disappear overnight, but after Riyadh, they may begin to erode."

Peace Talks Won’t Be Easy

Despite the optimism, analysts caution that ending the war won’t be simple.

Vitaly Ryumshin, a Russian political analyst, said the best-case scenario would be a ceasefire agreement following a Putin-Trump summit.

However, the biggest challenge remains: how to enforce a lasting ceasefire.

“The U.S. wants an immediate ceasefire, followed by elections in Ukraine. But given Russia’s military position, such a deal is unacceptable. There is no guarantee that Ukraine won’t use the ceasefire to rebuild its forces and restart the war,” Ryumshin explained.

A Russian diplomat warned that while Moscow welcomes the shift in U.S. policy, it remains to be seen whether this momentum can be sustained when real negotiations begin.

A Long Road Ahead

Mikhail Korostikov, an expert at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, warned that attempting to resolve the Ukraine war too quickly could lead to failure.

Meanwhile, Ryumshin urged patience:

“Trump’s policy reversal has reshaped the diplomatic landscape. But peace won’t come overnight. This will be a step-by-step process. The first step has been taken—now, we wait to see what happens next.”

(Sources: WSJ, Moscow Times, RT)

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