The Unlikely Alliance: Understanding Trump and Putin’s Relationship

Introduction: The Historical Context of a Complex Relationship

In early 2017, American intelligence agencies reached a clear conclusion: Russian President Vladimir Putin had interfered in the 2016 U.S. presidential election to undermine Americans’ faith in their democratic system and weaken the U.S.-led liberal world order. Putin’s ultimate goal, as assessed by U.S. intelligence, was to help Donald Trump win the presidency. Fast-forward to 2023, and Trump, now back in the Oval Office, continues to deny any Russian sabotage, calling it a "phony witch hunt" that victimized both him and Putin. This denial reflects a striking alignment between Trump and Putin, with Trump often framing himself and the Russian leader as united against common adversaries, including Democrats, European leaders, and the so-called "deep state."

The relationship between Trump and Putin has been heavily scrutinized by U.S. government inquiries, foreign intelligence services, and media investigations. While there is no single explanation for Trump’s affinity for Putin, one thing is evident: Trump’s actions on national security and foreign policy have consistently aligned with Kremlin interests, making his approach to Russia more consequential than ever.

Trump’s Admiration for Putin: Power, Control, and Autocracy

To understand Trump’s affinity for Putin, some analysts point to what they call "autocrat envy." Susan Miller, the former head of counterintelligence at the CIA, who led the 2017 intelligence assessment on Russian election interference, believes Trump admires Putin for his ability to rule without constraints. "Trump likes Putin because Putin has control over his country," Miller said in an interview. "And Trump wants control over his country." This admiration seems to translate into policy decisions that often benefit Russia. For instance, Trump has halted intelligence sharing with Ukraine, gutted foreign aid programs opposed by Putin, and distanced the U.S. from European allies.

Despite these actions, Trump defends his approach as a way to bring Russia to the negotiating table and broker peace in Ukraine. However, critics argue that Trump has pushed harder for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to make concessions than for Putin to end the war. For example, in February 2023, Trump criticized Ukraine for not being motivated to end the conflict, while seemingly defending Putin by stating that Russia’s relentless bombing of Ukraine was a sign that Putin wanted the war over.

The Kremlin’s Perspective: Aligning with Trump’s Agenda

Russian officials have been vocal about their approval of Trump’s policies. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin’s spokesman, praised the Trump administration’s agenda, saying it "largely aligns with our vision." Similarly, Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, has rewritten historical narratives to absolve the U.S. of responsibility for global conflicts, blaming Europe instead—a stark departure from decades of Kremlin propaganda. These statements reflect how closely Russia views Trump’s policies as serving its interests.

At the same time, Trump’s stance on Ukraine has softened significantly since his return to power. He has accused Zelensky of starting the war, despite Russia’s invasion in February 2022, and has refused to provide critical intelligence to Ukraine. These actions have not only weakened Ukraine’s ability to defend itself but also emboldened Russia. As Calder Walton of Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government put it, "This is the dismantling before our eyes of the U.S.-led international order, something that Putin has worked toward his entire career."

The Origins of the Relationship: Putin’s Influence on Trump

The relationship between Trump and Putin began to take shape during their first meeting in July 2017 at a summit in Hamburg, Germany. During this encounter, Putin used the opportunity to disparage Ukraine as a corrupt and fabricated country, justifying Russia’s military operations there. He even drew parallels to President Theodore Roosevelt’s interventions in Latin America—a historical reference that resonated with Trump, a longtime admirer of Roosevelt.

Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson later described how Putin performed his "K.G.B. shtick," and Trump did not push back on any of Putin’s assertions about Ukraine. This meeting set the tone for Trump’s approach to Ukraine, which became even more apparent during the 2019 phone call with Zelensky that led to Trump’s impeachment. In that call, Trump conditioned U.S. military aid to Ukraine on Zelensky’s cooperation in investigating Trump’s political opponents.

This episode further solidified Trump’s skepticism of Ukraine and deepened his distrust of the "deep state," which he believed was working against him. It also began to influence Republican views on Ukraine, with some echoing Putin’s narratives about the country.

The Convergence ofViews: Republicans and Putin’s Ukraine Narrative

Since Trump’s return to power, his administration has increasingly pressured Ukraine to negotiate a peace deal with Russia. This approach has been met with criticism from many, as it appears to prioritize Putin’s interests over Ukraine’s sovereignty. Meanwhile, some Republican lawmakers have adopted language that mirrors Putin’s talking points about Ukraine, framing the conflict as a "proxy war" between the U.S. and Russia rather than a clear case of Russian aggression.

For example, Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently characterized the conflict as a dangerous "proxy war," a statement that drew immediate praise from Peskov, who called it another example of the White House and Kremlin’s "perfectly aligned" positions. This convergence of views underscores the profound impact Trump’s presidency has had on U.S. foreign policy and its alignment with Russian objectives.

Conclusion: The Long-Term Implications of the Trump-Putin Alliance

The relationship between Trump and Putin, rooted in a shared distrust of the U.S. government and a desire for unchecked power, has profound implications for global stability and democracy. Trump’s consistent alignment with Kremlin interests has weakened the U.S.-led international order and emboldened Russia to pursue its goals unchecked.

As Susan Miller noted, there is no doubt about Russia’s intent to disrupt the 2016 election and undermine American democracy. Yet, Trump continues to frame himself and Putin as victims of a "witch hunt," ignoring the evidence of Russian interference. This denial, coupled with his ongoing admiration for Putin’s autocratic rule, raises serious questions about the future of U.S. foreign policy and its commitment to democratic values.

In the end, the alliance between Trump and Putin represents a turning point in global politics—one that could reshape the world order in ways that benefit autocrats at the expense of democracy.