Donald Trump has left no room for doubt regarding his stance on the Ukraine war and the U.S. role in supporting Kyiv. On Wednesday, he openly criticized Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, labeling him a “dictator” and accusing him of corruption. This comes just days after Trump blamed Ukraine, not Russia, for instigating the war.
Trump’s recent comments mirror Russia’s narrative. Russian ambassador Andrei Kelin praised this shift, noting that the U.S. under Trump’s leadership is now more receptive to Russia’s point of view. While the sudden change in U.S. foreign policy might seem surprising, Trump has consistently steered in this direction for years.
A History of Skepticism Toward Ukraine
Trump’s latest comments follow Zelensky’s rejection of an American proposal to share profits from Ukraine’s mineral resources. Trump’s criticisms of Zelensky have intensified, though he has long accused the Ukrainian president of manipulating Congress into sending financial aid. Trump's stance gained more visibility when he was impeached in 2019 for attempting to pressure Zelensky into investigating political rival Joe Biden.
Throughout his political career, Trump has praised Vladimir Putin’s leadership, even calling him a “genius” following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This admiration aligns with Trump’s long-standing skepticism about U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts, which he views primarily through an "America First" lens.
Support Within His Party
Although a few Republican senators, including Lisa Murkowski and John Kennedy, have expressed dismay at Trump’s latest remarks, there has been no significant pushback. Trump’s influence over the Republican Party remains strong, and most members have aligned themselves with his views.
Polling data reflects a shift in Republican attitudes as well. According to a recent Pew survey, only 30% of Republicans believe current U.S. support for Ukraine is adequate or insufficient. Forty percent now feel supporting Ukraine harms U.S. national security.
A Shift in U.S. Foreign Policy
Trump’s approach to foreign policy emphasizes transactions over ideology. His focus has shifted toward reducing military commitments in Europe and reallocating resources to contain China. In his Truth Social post, he lamented that the U.S. has “gotten nothing back” for its support of Ukraine. This transactional view mirrors his past efforts to profit from Syrian oil fields and redevelop Gaza’s coastline as part of his Middle East peace plan.
The contrast with the interventionist policies of George W. Bush, the last Republican president before Trump, could not be starker. Trump’s emphasis on withdrawing from overseas conflicts and prioritizing American interests has redefined the Republican Party’s foreign policy stance since his rise to power in 2016.
For more on this evolving story, visit the original article by BBC News’ Anthony Zurcher.
North America correspondent • @awzurcher
