Kremlin sees Trump-Zelenskyy feud as a victory and expects closer ties with US
Photo: Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
The Kremlin believes that the deterioration in relations between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signals weakening Western support for Kyiv, which it considers a victory, reports The Washington Post.
Moscow hopes to use the situation to secure concessions from Ukraine, particularly regarding Donbas, and expand cooperation with Washington.
What has changed in US-Ukraine relations
The Washington Post notes that over the past ten days, following Trump's phone call with Russian president Vladimir Putin, the US administration has taken several steps that Moscow has viewed as favorable.
Trump announced a relaxation of restrictions on the supply of Russian diesel fuel to the global market, suspended the introduction of new sweeping sanctions against Russia, and increased pressure on Kyiv.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has faced restrictions on access to important satellite systems and delays in the delivery of interceptor missiles.
On October 19, the US president again criticized Zelenskyy, saying that it was time for someone else to lead negotiations on behalf of Ukraine.
Kremlin special envoy Kirill Dmitriev responded with a post saying, "Checkmate." Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also claimed that the Ukrainian authorities were supposedly experiencing the final signs of agony and that their resistance would not be able to change the course of events.
Closer ties with the US
Moscow is also counting on economic cooperation with Washington.
Russian officials view the changes in US policy not only as an opportunity to increase pressure on Ukraine but also as a prerequisite for a broader economic partnership with the US.
Dmitriev said the two sides were discussing a number of economic and investment projects. He named the Arctic, energy, and liquefied natural gas production as potential areas of cooperation.
The Kremlin also welcomed Trump's decision not to impose tough sanctions provided for in a legislative initiative associated with Senator Lindsey Graham.
As the media notes, however, the Russian diesel deal is unlikely to have a significant impact on US fuel prices, as the volumes supplied are relatively small.
According to The Washington Post's sources, the political effect is more important for Moscow — deepening divisions between Washington and Kyiv.
Read more about the conflict between the presidents of Ukraine and the US in the RBC-Ukraine article, Year's major clash. Zelenskyy-Trump dispute and Europe’s role in resolving it.
