Trump's unexpected alliance: Russian media revels in US shift

Many pieces of information provided by Russian media or government officials are elements of propaganda. Such reports are part of the information warfare conducted by the Russian Federation.

From St. Petersburg to Vladivostok, the sound of glasses clinking can be heard. Russians are celebrating their victory in the conflict with Ukraine and the humiliation of the European Union in the economic crisis. They hope that sanctions will be lifted and that "it will be possible to do regular shopping". Such opinions prevail on the Russian internet following visits from representatives of the Trump administration to Europe.

For Russians, Trump's call to Putin over the heads of European politicians became proof that Russia is once again being treated as it should have been from the very beginning – with great esteem and reverence, as one of the two greatest powers in the world. "Why waste time on the weak when you can talk to the strong" – one can read in Russian comments.

Russians believe that the European Union is weak and spoiled and that without Russian gas and American money, it will eventually collapse. Therefore, the fact that Washington is speaking directly with Moscow, disregarding the opinions of allies, is a symbol for the Russians that their country has returned to its rightful place, and no one will ask the small nations their opinion. Just like in Yalta and Potsdam, where a marginalised Churchill was presented with a fait accompli, and the great powers divided the world among themselves. This is how it should be now.

In the Russian infosphere, it is a common opinion that Trump will minimise American military aid to Ukraine, and Ukraine will eventually be deprived of the ability to conduct military operations, as European countries without American support will not have sufficient resources. This, in turn, will prevent the Ukrainian side from becoming a full-fledged participant in the negotiation process between Russia and the United States.

The Russians have respected only those who have power and military strength for centuries. If someone demands something from a Russian with brazen confidence, the Russian usually yields, thinking they are dealing with someone important, with power or connections. They only respect someone strong, a sentiment very visible in comments from both ordinary Russians and Kremlin experts.

Political scientist Ilia Uhov writes for the Kremlin's Ukraine.ru service that Putin's talks with Trump are "confirmation of a thesis quite obvious to us, but hardly acceptable to the West, that Ukraine is not a subject, but merely a shadow, a projection of globalist plans to contain Russia."

Alexander Dugin, a Kremlin pan-Slavist, stated that globalism has fallen, and the world of the "Great Powers Order" has returned. "Europe simply got left behind and found itself on the margins. Europe became Ukraine, not Ukraine Europe. This is a total failure", he emphasised.

Russians truly believe that Western Europe is weak. The rhetoric of freezing cities and collapsing industries is being repeated. Trump has now given them the confidence that there is an open road to the West ahead of them.

Rostislav Ishchenko, a correspondent for Russia Today, wrote that a ceasefire would allow larger forces to be mobilised, and Europe would not be able to provide the same supplies of equipment, ammunition, and humanitarian aid after America abandons Ukraine. This is supposed to allow Russia to "eliminate Ukraine and reach its western border, without thinking about any peace agreements. It is generally unclear what is better for us: to take all of Ukraine or leave half".

Russians are willing to hand this half over to the United States so they can recover the money "wasted on supporting the Kyiv regime." Ret. Lt. Col. Gennady Podlesny, a Kremlin military expert and director of the Centre for Applied Political Studies in Krasnodar, stated that "to win the 'special military operation' the elimination of Ukraine as a state is necessary. However, since it is one of the largest countries in Europe territorially, Russia cannot do without situational allies."

He talks about the necessity of negotiations on the control of Ukraine between Poland, which could reclaim its territories lost as a result of World War II, and the United States, which could take control over "resources they need."

The Russians are pleased with the weakening of allied relations in NATO. Media emphasise that the recently concluded International Security Conference in Munich "took place in an atmosphere entirely different from what its regular participants and observers were accustomed to: from a showcase of Euro-Atlantic solidarity, the forum transformed into a symbol of the lack of unity between the new American administration and old Europe."

Commentators stress that Europe "was not ready to accept the truth about itself", which was supposed to be presented by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, and Trump’s special envoy for ending the Ukrainian-Russian war, Keith Kellogg. The latter stated that the USA does not see a place for Europe at the negotiating table regarding Ukraine. According to him, Russia and Ukraine should participate in resolving the conflict, and the United States is ready to mediate.

Their words caused ecstatic comments from Russian politicians. Dmitry Medvedev stated that "the Anti-Russian Sabbath in Munich was seriously concerned this time" with Washington’s position. Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachov noted on the Telegram channel that "the collective West no longer exists." According to him, after the end of the Cold War, the West's collective transformed into a "monster" and began posing a "threat to peace," "actually generating more and more new problems for humanity."

According to Russian propaganda, it was the European Union and NATO that caused the ongoing war.

Kremlin media emphasise that Trump sees the same cause for the outbreak of the war with Ukraine as Putin. Trump stated on the podcast "All In" hosted by financier and Elon Musk’s collaborator, David Sachs, that the one responsible for Russia's attack on Ukraine is Joe Biden, who opened the door to NATO for Ukraine.

He added that in Russia's place, anyone would decide to attack to take care of their interests. Thus, Trump, whether consciously or not, exactly echoed the Kremlin's narrative, which described the attack on Ukraine as "pre-emptive."

On the website of the Russian Federation's embassy in Poland, it can be read that "under the supervision and with the direct participation of NATO advisors, Ukraine has been quickly transforming into an 'anti-Russian' power since 2014. (...) Russia did not 'attack' Ukraine, as Western propaganda actively spreads, but began a special military operation."

It adds that "in reality, we are not dealing with Kyiv, but with a NATO-Ukrainian military-industrial conglomerate. Ukraine is just a tool in the hands of the United States and its NATO allies, whose long-term goal is to 'defeat Russia on the battlefield.'"

Trump's words confirming the Kremlin’s narrative greatly pleased the Russians and reinforced their belief that they are waging a just war. Moreover, they gained hope that they will achieve the goals of the "special military operation" by 9th May, or at least by the end of the year.

Nonetheless, they approach this cautiously, because "sabotage in the USA is possible: in the military, intelligence, State Department. Their core still does not submit to Trump." Furthermore, Washington "will play its own games and it cannot be said that negotiations with the United States will end successfully," as Ishchenko stated.

For now, however, reading the Russian media, one can conclude that champagne corks are popping in the Kremlin, and more vodka bottles are being opened in the countryside. Trump's team has given the Russians many reasons to celebrate.