Former US Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul, in his article for Foreign Affairs magazine, expressed the opinion that President Donald Trump prioritizes relations with Vladimir Putin, pushing ties with Ukraine and the European Union into the background. According to the diplomat, the current White House policy demonstrates Trump's readiness to make significant concessions to Moscow, which could radically change the balance of power in the international arena. McFaul emphasizes that the American leader's desire to secure Putin's support is manifested in the exclusion from the agenda of the issue of Ukraine's accession to NATO and pressure on Kyiv to transfer part of its territory to Russia.

According to McFaul, Trump’s line of behavior is causing serious discontent among his domestic political allies in the United States. The president, according to the former ambassador, is threatening to impose trade tariffs and even to add other countries to the American sphere of influence, which risks undermining the trust of Washington’s traditional partners. This, in turn, could lead to allies refusing to purchase American weapons and reducing economic cooperation with the United States. McFaul warns that such a scenario could weaken the global influence of the United States, jeopardizing its leadership in the world.

This analysis reflects the broader context of Trump’s foreign policy since taking office in January 2025. From the first days of his second term, experts have noted an emphasis on rapprochement with Russia. In particular, in March 2025, The New York Times reported on a closed meeting between Trump’s advisers and Russian representatives, where they discussed possible ways to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.

Against this backdrop, Trump has publicly spoken of the need to “reset” relations with Moscow, arguing that it would help avoid escalating global conflicts. In an April 1 interview with Fox News, he called Putin “a strong leader who can be negotiated with,” while describing Ukraine as “a constant source of problems.” Such remarks have only heightened concerns in Kyiv, which, according to Reuters, is already facing a 20% reduction in U.S. military aid compared to 2024.