Why Donald Trump sides with Russia over Ukraine
Donald Trump’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine war is shaped by multiple factors, with two being the most influential
By Sanjay Dubey
Donald Trump’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine war has multiple layers, but two key factors seem to influence it the most: his personal affinity for Russian President Vladimir Putin and his dislike for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. These personal dynamics, combined with other factors, have shaped his position in ways that diverge from traditional U.S. foreign policy. While President Joe Biden has strongly supported Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression, Trump has repeatedly downplayed the need for U.S. involvement and has been reluctant to criticize Putin. But why?
Donald Trump’s admiration for Vladimir Putin
Recently, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the United States. After his meeting with President Donald Trump, they addressed a press conference where Trump was asked: “How do you see this relationship between India and the United States in countering China? And what is your vision when it comes to India brokering peace in the Ukraine-Russia conflict?”
In India, Trump’s response largely went unnoticed, but for those who paid attention, it was baffling. He replied, “Well, I think we are going to have a very good relationship with China… I got along with President Xi very, very well. We were very close, as leaders go.” He further added, “I think China is a very important player in the world. I think they can help us get this war over with Ukraine and Russia.”
Instead of addressing how India and the U.S. could counter China, Trump spoke about strengthening ties with Beijing, boasting about his personal rapport with Xi Jinping. And when asked about India’s role in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, he instead mentioned China as a potential mediator.
For those familiar with Trump’s worldview, this was not surprising. One of the most striking aspects of his foreign policy has been his fascination with authoritarian leaders. He has frequently praised Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling him a “strong” and “savvy” leader. Even after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Trump described Putin’s tactics as “genius,” though he later clarified that he did not support the war itself.
Donald Trump has always admired strongmen who wield absolute control over their countries. Whether it’s Xi Jinping, Kim Jong-un, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, or Vladimir putin, he sees authoritarian rule as a mark of strength and decisiveness. Unlike democratic leaders who must contend with political opposition and institutional checks, Trump views Putin as someone who can make bold decisions without interference—something he himself prefers.
For decades, the Republican Party maintained a staunchly anti-Russian stance, shaped by Cold War geopolitics. However, Trump reshaped this approach, guided by his personal, political, and ‘ideological’ preferences. He repeatedly downplayed Russia’s interference in the 2016 election, often siding with Putin over American intelligence agencies. This shift was starkly evident at the 2018 Helsinki summit, where Trump, standing beside Putin, dismissed U.S. intelligence findings, stating: “President Putin says it's not Russia. I don't see any reason why it would be.” The remark stunned U.S. officials and reinforced concerns that Trump placed more trust in Putin’s assurances than in his own intelligence community.
Trump’s political style closely aligns with Putin’s interests. He has long criticized the U.S. foreign policy establishment, which traditionally views Russia as a geopolitical threat. He has also dismissed NATO as outdated and ineffective and threatened to withdraw the U.S. from it—echoing Russia’s objective of weakening Western unity. Additionally, Trump frequently attacks Western elites, the media, and international institutions, mirroring Putin’s hostility toward Western democratic structures. Trump and right-wing allies like Hungary’s Viktor Orbán share Putin’s hardline views on immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, and ultraconservative policies.
According to some experts, Trump’s admiration for Putin isn’t just about ideology or shared interests—it’s also about how Putin personally engages with him. Vladimir Putin is a master at psychological manipulation, and he understands Trump’s deep need for praise and validation. While many Western leaders challenged Trump or treated him as unpredictable, Putin took a different approach—flattering him, appealing to his ego, and portraying their relationship as one between two 'strong' leaders. This kind of treatment likely played a role in shaping Trump’s perception of Putin.
Speculation persists that Putin may hold some form of leverage over Trump. While no concrete evidence supports this claim, reports such as the Steele Dossier (an unverified intelligence document) suggested that Russia might possess compromising material (kompromat) on Trump. Whether true or not, Trump’s reluctance to criticize Putin—even when Russia engaged in aggressive actions such as poisoning opposition leaders or suppressing protests—only reinforced suspicions that he feared antagonizing the Russian leader.
Donald Trump’s dislike for Volodymyr Zelensky
Donald Trump’s strained relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dates back to the Ukraine scandal of 2019, which led to Trump’s first impeachment (making him the third U.S. president ever to be impeached and the first to be impeached twice). In a now-infamous phone call, Trump allegedly pressured Zelensky to investigate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, in exchange for U.S. military aid and a White House invitation. Junior Biden had served on the board of Ukrainian energy conglomerate Burisma Holdings, and Trump alleged that Joe Biden, as Vice President, used his position to benefit both the company and his son. However, Zelensky refused to engage in U.S. domestic politics. While the transcript of the call showed Zelensky agreeing to investigate corruption broadly, he did not explicitly commit to targeting the Bidens.
Trump saw this refusal as a betrayal. Rather than complying with his request, Zelensky focused on strengthening Ukraine’s ties with the U.S. Congress and other American political leaders who were more supportive of Ukraine. This further soured Trump’s perception of him, leading Trump to view Zelensky as ungrateful, disloyal, and even an obstacle to his personal and political ambitions.
Under Joe Biden, Ukraine received unprecedented support from the United States, with the administration providing over $75 billion in military, financial, and humanitarian aid. Some believe Zelensky’s refusal to comply with Trump’s 2019 demands strengthened his credibility with U.S. leaders, helping Ukraine secure strong backing under the Biden administration. Biden knew how Zelensky resisted Trump’s pressure and refused to launch a politically motivated investigation against him. This may have strengthened Biden’s trust in Zelensky, making it easier for Ukraine to receive support under his administration.
This shift may also have fueled Trump’s animosity toward Zelensky. Biden’s approach to Ukraine was a direct reversal of Trump’s policies—where Trump delayed military aid and questioned Ukraine’s strategic value, Biden strengthened the U.S.-Ukraine relationship, making Ukraine a central focus of U.S. foreign policy. This contrast further highlighted Trump’s isolationist “America First” stance. Additionally, Trump has repeatedly dismissed aid to Ukraine as a waste of American taxpayer money. Trump’s hostility toward Biden and his opposition to liberal policies likely deepened his disdain for Zelensky, who became a key U.S. ally under Biden.