The Kremlin says the shift in foreign policy under the Trump administration “largely coincides” with Moscow’s vision. President Donald Trump has dramatically changed the US’ foreign policy approach in the opening weeks of his second term, in particular his stance on the Ukraine war.
Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “The [US] new administration is rapidly changing all foreign policy configurations. This largely coincides with our vision.” He added: “There is a long way to go, because there is huge damage to the whole complex of bilateral relations. But if the political will of the two leaders, President Putin and President Trump, is maintained, this path can be quite quick and successful.”
The spokesman made the comments on Wednesday but were only made public on Sunday, days after Mr Trump’s furious row with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The heated exchange in the White House saw Mr Trump tell his counterpart he was being “disrespectful”, warning he is “gambling with World War Three”.
Mr Peskov’s remarks were seen as a follow-up on the US splitting with its European allies by refusing to blame Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
In last week’s UN General Assembly, the US joined Russia in voting against a Europe-backed Ukrainian resolution that calls out Moscow’s aggression and demands an immediate withdrawal of Russian troops.
The Trump administration is looking to end the Ukraine war quickly and excludedUkrainian officials in peace talks with Russia in Saudi Arabia.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has praised the US’ “common sense” approach to ending the war.
He reportedly told Russian military newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda that “Donald Trump is a pragmatist”.
European leaders have met in London for talks on Ukraine, in the fallout of the acrimonious meeting between Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky on Friday.
Sir Keir Starmer is hosting the summit and has rejected calls for Mr Trump’s second UK state visit to be cancelled following the row in the White House.
