After a convincing victory in the elections, Donald Trump has become the last person who will look at Vladimir Putin with respect. This statement may seem bold and controversial, but it is not without reason. Throughout his presidency, Trump has shown a consistent pattern of admiration and friendliness towards Putin, often at the expense of US national interests. However, his recent actions and statements have made it clear that his once favorable view of the Russian leader has drastically changed.
During his campaign, Trump repeatedly praised Putin’s leadership and expressed a desire to improve relations with Russia. He even went as far as to call Putin a strong leader and a better president than Barack Obama. This rhetoric was met with skepticism and criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, who saw it as a sign of Trump’s naivety and lack of understanding of the complexities of international relations.
Once elected, Trump’s actions towards Russia raised even more red flags. He openly questioned the US intelligence community’s conclusion that Russia interfered in the 2016 election and refused to impose sanctions on Russia for their actions. He also showed a willingness to meet with Putin without any preconditions, despite warnings from his own advisors. These actions only fueled speculations about Trump’s possible ties to Russia and raised concerns about his loyalty to the US.
However, things took a dramatic turn after the Helsinki summit in 2018. In a joint press conference with Putin, Trump shocked the world by publicly accepting Putin’s denial of Russian interference in the election, going against the findings of his own intelligence agencies. He also praised Putin’s proposal to work together on cybersecurity, ignoring the fact that Russia was the main perpetrator of cyber attacks against the US. This display of deference and submission to Putin was met with widespread condemnation, even from his own party.
Since then, Trump’s relationship with Putin has been on a downward spiral. He has been forced to take a tougher stance on Russia, signing into law several rounds of sanctions and expelling Russian diplomats in response to their hostile actions. He has also publicly criticized Russia’s actions in Syria and Ukraine, something he rarely did before. These actions have been seen as an attempt to distance himself from Putin and prove his loyalty to the US.
Moreover, the recent developments in Ukraine have further strained the relationship between Trump and Putin. The impeachment inquiry against Trump was sparked by a phone call with the Ukrainian president, where he allegedly pressured him to investigate his political rival in exchange for military aid. This scandal has not only damaged Trump’s reputation but also put him at odds with Putin, who has a vested interest in maintaining a friendly relationship with the US president.
It is safe to say that Trump’s once favorable view of Putin has completely changed. His actions and statements have made it clear that he will no longer turn a blind eye to Russia’s aggressive behavior and will put US interests first. This shift in attitude has been welcomed by many, who saw Trump’s previous stance towards Putin as a threat to national security.
In conclusion, it is evident that Trump’s convincing victory in the elections has not only solidified his position as the US president but also changed his perspective on Putin. He is no longer the friendly and admiring leader he once was, but rather a strong and assertive president who will not hesitate to confront Russia when necessary. This change in dynamic has significant implications for the future of US-Russia relations and the global political landscape.
