A damning European intelligence report has claimed Russia sees US President Donald Trump as “weak” and “open to manipulation”. According to the report, which cites intelligence gathered this month, the Kremlin believe that the former real estate magnate is weak, lacks a core set of principles and may be open to manipulation.
The report, published in the Washington Post, also cites a European intelligence insider who believes that if a permanent ceasefire is achieved, Moscow will probably revert to “hybrid” or nonmilitary means of undermining Ukraine, as it happened following the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014. Such efforts would include tactics to disrupt the country economically and diplomatically and would also involve penetrating Ukrainian elite circles, business circles, the security services and the military. The official said: “The 2022 invasion happened because the hybrid tools did not bring results.”
Russia is well versed in carrying out “hybrid” attacks across the world.
Last year, it was blamed for an arson attack on a Ukrainian-owned business as well as the attempted assassination of the CEO of an arms manufacturer developing weaponry for Ukraine.
It has also been held responsible for attempts to meddle in the politics of Georgia, Romania and Moldova.
The revelations come a day after Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff met with Vladimir Putin to discuss the shape of a ceasefire.
Ukraine has agreed to a 30-day cessation of hostilities, whilst the Russian leader has indicated that he might be willing to accept it depending on the terms of the deal.
The report labelling Trump as “weak” and “open to manipulation” comes just over a week after the US government declared that it would stop sending military aid and sharing intelligence with Ukraine.
The decision had a significant impact on Kyiv’s ability to defend itself from missile and drone attacks and also hampered its ability to conduct military operations on the frontline.
Following the policy change, Russia made significant gains in the Kursk region and had fewer drones shot down by Ukraine’s air defence.
The US has since reversed its decision with immediate effect.
Since taking office, the US President has been accused of repeating Kremlin talking points after calling for the Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to hold elections, branding him a dictator and claiming that Ukraine contributed to the start of the war.
