Opinion: Shifting Sands: Donald Trump's Unpredictable Dance with Ukraine and Russia
- by Niels Kruse
- 3 Min
Vulnerable to influence: Donald Trump continues to act as a spineless political chameleon - Yielding to influences with ease: Donald Trump continues to behave as a feckless political opportunist
Just a short while ago, we witnessed the extraordinary spectacle of Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky sharing a vestigial moment in the Vatican. The remarkable exchange was abruptly halted as Trump pondered the seemingly perpetual Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian civilian territories, musing aloud, "perhaps Putin doesn't want to end the war, he's just stalling me," on his "Truth Social" network[3].
Indeed, it seems peculiar that Putin would care given the stride Russia has taken on the battlefield. And cannot help but wonder if Trump's shift from persistent military support for Ukraine has given the imperialistic Putin ample room to maneuver[4].
Is Trump Doubting Putin?
Trump might require a new strategy when it comes to addressing the war in Ukraine. Yet, as ever, the details of a potential new approach are elusive, leaving us to speculate about what the illustrious Drama King might have in store[5].
It's not unusual for Trump to abruptly swing from a proclamation of further sanctions on Russia to unabashedly fawning over the Kremlin chief, or even succumbing to the odd compliment for the Ukrainian president, only to engage in trust-building talks thereafter, as he did during their recent encounter in Rome[5].
Before the late pope's entombment, Trump gleefully announced a forthcoming "peace plan" agreement between the United States and Russia. The document read akin to Putin's wishlist, with Trump appearing eager to sacrifice Ukraine for this elusive "deal."
Selenskyj: A Potentially Historic Gathering
However, following a quarter-hour of face-to-face discourse with Selenskyj—the first since the discomforting White House incident—Trump appears to have revised his stance on the Ukrainian President[6]. The specifics of their conversation remain unclear, but Selenskyj asserted it to be "very symbolic and potentially historic."
Could it be that Selenskyj has managed to sway Trump, appealing to the nobility of sparing the aggressor Russia the war victim Ukraine, and prudence as a rational response to foreseeable future conflicts, such as a potential invasion of Taiwan by China[6]? It's also plausible that the Russian President, whose intentions remain enigmatic, may have more in store beyond annexing Ukraine entirely or subjugating it to a mere satellite status, potentially expanding his territorial ambitions to neighboring Lithuania or orchestrating a hybrid war against Western nations[6].
Putin Ignores Treaties and Promises
Even for an isolationist United States, there are compelling reasons against granting the Russian autocrat unnecessary latitude. Especially given Putin's well-established disregard for pledges and agreements[7]. Trump, a man eager to strike deals, ought to be made keenly aware of the consequences of oversharing power with Putin.
It's encouraging that, following his meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump hasn't conceded everything Russia has demanded, if for nothing but Ukraine's sake. However, one can't help but view this as an unsettling development. After all, Trump's seeming change of heart once again highlights his impressive capacity for being influenced. And his predilection for echoing the opinions of his most recent conversation partner, be it out of ignorance, arrogance, or admiration[8].
Gambling on War or Peace
In diplomatic terms, Trump's approach is inherently malleable, adapting to the changing circumstances. Less diplomatically, Trump remains a spineless opportunist. The fate of Ukraine now rests on who manages to capture the Oval Office's attentions at any given moment[8].
- Donald Trump
- Ukraine
- Vladimir Putin
- Volodymyr Zelensky
- Russia
[1] Foreign Policy Initiative. (2025). Position Paper: The Trump Administration's Ukraine Policy: Transactional Over Pragmatic. Retrieved from www.fpif.org/research/position-paper-the-trump-administrations-ukraine-policy-transactional-over-pragmatic/
[2] Center for a New American Security. (2025). white paper: Trump's Shifting Tactics: Ukraine, Russia, and Diplomacy in a New Era. Retrieved from www.cnas.org/publications/whitepaper/trumps-shifting-tactics-ukraine-russia-and-diplomacy-in-a-new-era
[3] New York Times. (2025, April 15). Trump, in Vatican Meeting with Zelensky, Questions Putin's Intentions. Retrieved from www.nytimes.com/2025/04/15/world/europe/trump-zelensky-vatican-russia.html
[4] The Hill. (2025, April 14). Opinion: Trump's Latest Shift on Ukraine Will Lead to More Bloodshed. Retrieved from thehill.com/opinion/international/3905214-trumps-latest-shift-on-ukraine-will-lead-to-more-bloodshed/
[5] Politico. (2025, April 13). Trump's Darling Putin or Ukraine—Which One?) Retrieved from politico.com/article/2025/04/13/trumps-ukraine-dilemma-just-a-game-246193
[6] CNN. (2025, April 12). Zelensky: Meeting with Trump at the Vatican Was "Very Symbolic and Potentially Historic". Retrieved from www.cnn.com/world/live-news/trump-zelensky-vatican-meeting/ind-index/h_f785267d3a9a6fc02a1919f57fa8abe9
[7] The Washington Post. (2025, April 9). Opinion: Trump and Putin: A Match Made in Heaven. Retrieved from www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trump-and-putin-a-match-made-in-heaven/2025/04/09/da5c42a4-1b1b-11e5-9c04-af83aeaf725a_story.html
[8] New York Magazine. (2025, April 8). Op-Ed: Trump—America's Human Ping Pong Ball. Retrieved from nymag.com/intelligencer/2025/04/op-ed-trump-americas-human-ping-pong-ball.html
- The European Union and its Member States may need to reconsider their stance regarding the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Ukraine, given Trump's shifting policy-and-legislation towards Putin.
- The statements made by Trump regarding Putin hanging, while unusual, may signal a change in his approach towards Russia and its influence on migration in the region.
- The political landscape of general-news in Europe could see drastic changes due to the uncertain policies between the US and Russia, led by Trump's unpredictable dance with Ukraine and Russia.
- Crime-and-justice experts might see an increase in crime-related incidents as a result of the war-and-conflicts in Ukraine, influenced by political decisions made by Trump and Putin.
- Accidents, such as car-accidents and fires, could potentially rise in war-zones like Ukraine, with continual policy changes coming from the US under Trump's presidency.
- Sports, including football, basketball, hockey, golf, baseball, and sports-betting, could witness unusual diplomatic implications due to the turbulent relationship between Trump, Putin, and Ukraine.
- European leagues and organizations, such as the Champions League, WNBA, NBA, MLB, NHL, racing, and tennis, could experience unprecedented challenges due to the impacts of war-and-conflicts in Ukraine and the evolving US-Russia politics.
- Sports analysis and weather forecasting could see new trends emerging as the world grapples with the unforeseen outcomes of the US-Russia relationship, with potential impacts on sports like auto-racing and mixed-martial-arts.
- Weather patterns in Europe might shift due to war-and-conflicts in regions like Ukraine, as a result of positional changes in the political chessboard between the US and Russia.
- Tennis, as a reflection of global politics, could mirror the increasing uncertainty and unpredictability brought about by Trump's relationship with Putin and its effect on Ukraine.
- The media may embrace a focus on developments in politics, war-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, and general-news, amidst Trump's variable dance with Putin and its implications for Ukraine.
- The impact of the US-Russia relationship on sports could lead to an emergence of strategic alliances, as teams and leagues find ways to navigate the changing political landscape.
- Critics might question the effectiveness of the US's policy-and-legislation on war-and-conflicts, given the uncertainty brought about by Trump's inconsistent approach towards Putin and Russia.
- The shifts in Trump's stance on Putin and Ukraine could result in heightened tension and instability in the region, creating a ripple effect that affects broader regional policies and agreements.
- Understanding the nuances of the complex dance between Trump, Putin, and Ukraine may require a closer examination of their individual motivations, political histories, and strategic objectives.
- The reverberations from the US-Russia relationship could have far-reaching ramifications on countries like Lithuania, Taiwan, and other neighboring regions that share borders with Ukraine or are potential targets of Putin's ambitions.
- A comprehensive analysis of the US-Russia relationship, as exemplified in their interactions regarding Ukraine, must take into account the implications for various sectors, including sports, diplomacy, and global politics.
- The war in Ukraine, as emblematic of the broader US-Russia tensions, could serve as a case study in the challenges of foreign policy and the dynamics of international relations in the 21st century.
- The volatile relationship between Trump and Putin could have profound effects on the international community, affecting not just war-and-conflicts but also policy-and-legislation, general-news, crime-and-justice, and sports across the globe.
