Breaking Out of the Shadows: Trump Refuses to Support New Sanctions Against Russia in a Bid to Forge Business Deals with Putin
After a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, former Democratic leader and current ex-President of the United States, Donald Trump, made an unexpected turn in his policy regarding the Ukraine conflict. Instead of endorsing a new package of EU sanctions aimed at increasing economic pressure on Moscow, he clearly signaled that his focus is not on reducing aggression but on securing profitable business agreements with the Kremlin. He voiced this stance in conversations with European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, effectively reformatting his previously stated support for sanctions policy and thus opening the possibility of creating a potential split within NATO, which, according to Putin’s plans, would undermine the unity of Western allies. According to The New York Times, during talks with Zelensky and European leaders, Trump stated that the issue of the war between Ukraine and Russia should be resolved independently by the parties involved, without Western intervention, and that the outcome of this cooperation should be sought through bilateral agreements. A main piece of news was his rejection of any earlier threats of joining sanctions mechanisms or putting pressure on Moscow, which surprised and disappointed European diplomats and analysts. “These testimonies shed light on the shift in political course that Trump is demonstrating now,” commented the NYT editorial board. “He is effectively distancing himself from the idea of pressuring Russia with sanctions, even though earlier, during the presidential campaign and the administration, he hinted at the possibility of swift and decisive actions in this regard. If today he does not change his position, in responding to Putin, he risks losing the chance to compensate for the unsatisfactory progress in diplomacy and to give Moscow what it has long been seeking—lifting American pressure and creating divisions within NATO.” Obviously, such a move was long anticipated, given Zelensky’s recent emotional visit to the White House and the recent resignation of the U.S. ambassador to Kyiv. Former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, told NYT that Trump’s administration policy from the beginning focused more on creating a collision between Ukraine and Russia rather than on encouraging efforts to stop Kremlin aggression. “Instead of supporting Ukraine in its fight, the administration effectively ignored the aggressor, which greatly worries Kyiv,” she emphasized. However, according to official sources in the White House, the decision to abandon sanctions measures is primarily motivated by U.S. economic interests. An anonymous official explained that further tightening of sanctions could harm American commercial projects and investments in the region, while Trump aims to maximize benefits for domestic businesses. This move was a surprise for many analysts and politicians in the West, as not long ago Trump threatened Russia with new sanctions in response to its aggression and even floated ideas about ending the war within hours. This shift in rhetoric and political course demonstrates that the current former president is willing to continue pursuing business interests in the Russian direction, refusing any significant economic sanctions or pressure. In his latest social media post, Trump emphasized that the conflict should be settled bilaterally and hinted that an agreement reached with Moscow could end the war and restore diplomatic relations. “Conditions for ending the war must be determined by the two sides directly involved. Only they know all the details and possible solutions,” he wrote. At the same time, he underscored that restoring relations with Russia holds great economic potential for the U.S. According to Trump, the Russian market’s potential—including creating new jobs, wealth, and opportunities for American businesses—is limitless. He did not specify exactly how cooperation would be arranged, but the long time since the war began indicates that Trump seeks to open the American market to Russia’s energy sector and the market for strategic metals and rare earth elements. Regardless of official reasons, analysts and diplomatic sources emphasize that this course is another step in the effort to counteract tensions caused by continued Russian aggression. Yet at the same time, it has sparked outrage among Western allies, who insist on genuine support for Ukraine and the strengthening of sanctions to deter Moscow. European diplomats have already warned that Trump’s administration actions could significantly weaken Western efforts concerning sanctions policy and the ability of countries to collectively pressure Russia. Overall, the current situation shows that in political circles and among international relations experts, there is forming a view of a new geopolitical game where economics and business interests take precedence, intersecting with strategic values and security policies. Whether this compromise in U.S. policy will become a factor in stabilizing the region remains an open question, but it is already clear that the West risks losing unity if support for Ukraine and its fight for independence and sovereignty are marginalized in the political and economic calculations of American leaders.