Understanding the Trump-Putin Dynamic: A Complex Relationship
The relationship between former President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin has been one of the most scrutinized and controversial aspects of modern U.S.-Russia relations. In early 2017, American intelligence agencies concluded that Putin had orchestrated a sweeping effort to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The primary goals, according to these agencies, were to undermine the faith Americans had in their democratic institutions and to weaken the U.S.-led "liberal world order," which Russia viewed as a threat to its security. The intelligence assessment also found that Putin’s efforts were aimed at helping Trump win the presidency.
However, Trump has consistently denied any Russian interference in the election, dismissing it as a "phony witch hunt." Instead, he has expressed sympathy for Putin’s position, often framing both himself and the Russian leader as victims of a shared adversary: the U.S. "deep state," Democratic lawmakers, and European allies. This alignment of interests has been underscored repeatedly, particularly during Trump’s time in office, where his national security and foreign policy decisions have often been praised by the Kremlin.
Shared Interests and the Roots of Affinity
Trump’s affinity for Putin has been the subject of extensive scrutiny by U.S. government inquiries, foreign intelligence services, and media investigations. While there is no single, definitive explanation for Trump’s admiration of the Russian leader, experts like Susan Miller, the former head of counterintelligence at the CIA, have offered some insights. Miller believes that Trump’s affinity for Putin stems from "autocrat envy," suggesting that Trump admires the unchecked power Putin wields in Russia. "Trump likes Putin because Putin has control over his country," Miller said. "And Trump wants control over his country." This dynamic has been evident in Trump’s actions, particularly during his first six weeks back in office, where his decisions on national security and foreign policy have consistently aligned with Kremlin interests.
Trump’s relationship with Putin has been further solidified by their shared adversaries, including Democratic lawmakers, European leaders, and the "deep state" within the U.S. government. This convergence of interests has been particularly evident in Trump’s approach to Ukraine, where he has frequently aligned himself with Putin’s narrative. For instance, Trump has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of starting the war with Russia, despite overwhelming evidence that the conflict began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022. This narrative has been repeatedly echoed by Putin, who has long sought to undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and bring it under Russian influence.
Actions and Policies: The Impact on U.S.-Russia Relations
Trump’s actions during his presidency have had significant implications for U.S.-Russia relations. He has stopped sharing critical intelligence with Ukraine, hampering the country’s ability to combat Russian forces. Additionally, Trump has slashed American foreign aid programs, including pro-democracy initiatives in countries like Hungary, which Russia has sought to bring into its sphere of influence. These moves have been viewed as a dismantling of the U.S.-led international order, a trend that has been cheered by the Kremlin.
Despite his actions, Trump has defended his approach by claiming it is necessary to bring Russia to the negotiating table and end the war in Ukraine. However, critics argue that Trump’s efforts have been one-sided, pushing Ukraine to make concessions while failing to apply similar pressure on Putin. This dynamic was evident during a blustery meeting with Zelensky in the Oval Office, where Trump appeared to defend Putin’s actions, suggesting that Russia’s bombing of Ukraine was a sign that Putin wanted to end the war. Trump also criticized Ukraine for not being sufficiently motivated to end the conflict.
Expert Opinions: Unpacking the Trump-Putin Dynamic
Experts have weighed in on the implications of Trump’s relationship with Putin. Calder Walton of Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, who has written extensively on the history of espionage between Russia and the United States, said, "What is Putin getting? He is getting more than he and other former K.G.B. officers ever dreamed of." Walton added that Trump’s actions amount to "the dismantling before our eyes of the U.S.-led international order, something that Putin has worked toward his entire career."
Susan Miller, who led the CIA’s 2017 intelligence assessment on Russian election interference, has also expressed concerns about Trump’s approach to Russia. She noted that her team was meticulous in ensuring their assessment was nonpartisan and unbiased, despite being subjected to intense scrutiny by prosecutors appointed by Attorney General William Barr. Miller’s assessment, which found no evidence of bias, was later vindicated by the release of John Durham’s final report, which found no fault with the intelligence community’s conclusions.
Historical Context and the Role of Disinformation
The Trump-Putin dynamic must also be understood within the broader context of Russia’s historical efforts to undermine the United States. Russia has long sought to spread disinformation and sow chaos in American politics, with the ultimate goal of undermining confidence in the democratic process. This was evident in the 2016 election interference, where Russia’s primary objective was to erode faith in the U.S. electoral system.
Trump’s denial of Russian interference has only served to amplify Russia’s efforts. By framing himself and Putin as victims of a "deep state" conspiracy, Trump has effectively legitimized Putin’s narrative and further eroded trust in U.S. institutions. This dynamic has been exploited by Russia to advance its own interests, particularly in Ukraine. For instance, during their first in-person meeting in July 2017, Putin used the opportunity to disparage Ukraine as a corrupt and fabricated country, justifying Russian military operations there. Trump, who has long admired Theodore Roosevelt’s belief in the right to intervene in the internal affairs of other nations, did not push back on Putin’s assertions.
The Consequences of Alignment: A World Turned Upside Down
The consequences of Trump’s alignment with Putin have been profound. The dismantling of the U.S.-led international order has emboldened Russia to pursue its interests with increasing aggression, particularly in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Trump’s actions have eroded trust in U.S. leadership among European allies, creating divisions that Russia has exploited to its advantage.
The convergence of Trump’s and Putin’s views on Ukraine has also had a profound impact on U.S. domestic politics. Republican lawmakers have increasingly echoed Putin’s narrative about Ukraine, framing the conflict as a "proxy war" between the United States and Russia rather than a clear case of Russian aggression. This shift in rhetoric has been welcomed by the Kremlin, with Peskov, the Russian spokesman, praising the alignment of Trump’s policies with Russia’s vision.
In conclusion, the relationship between Trump and Putin represents a significant shift in U.S.-Russia relations, with far-reaching implications for global stability and the U.S.-led international order. While the full extent of Trump’s affinity for Putin may never be fully understood, the consequences of their actions are already being felt, both on the international stage and within American politics.
