President Trump's repeated praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin—calling him a "humanitarian" and expressing admiration for the strongman—has raised alarms among critics who see it as a troubling departure from U.S. principles. In a recent campaign stop, Trump remarked, "Russia, frankly, has been fine on Ukraine," adding, "They haven't been doing much." These comments, made while Russia continues to bombard Ukrainian cities, have been met with disbelief by foreign policy experts and lawmakers alike.
The reality on the ground is stark: Russia has deliberately targeted civilian infrastructure, including apartment buildings in Kyiv, hospitals, schools, and the country's electricity grid as winter approaches. Trump's characterization of Russia's actions as "fine" stands in stark contrast to the evidence of war crimes documented by international observers. His willingness to downplay Moscow's aggression suggests a pattern of deference to Putin that undermines U.S. leadership in defending democratic allies.
Instead of holding Putin accountable, Trump has shown contempt for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is fighting for his country's survival. "We've given a lot to Ukraine," Trump said. "They've given nothing to us." This framing ignores Ukraine's role in weakening a key adversary and its commitment to democratic values that align with U.S. interests.
According to a report by David Sanger of the New York Times, Trump has taken concrete steps that benefit Russia: he bypassed a bipartisan law imposing new tariffs on Moscow, arranged to purchase diesel from Russia, and signaled openness to a deal involving Lukoil, a major Russian energy firm. Most alarmingly, he has called for Zelensky's replacement, even as Ukraine has successfully launched counteroffensives inside Russian territory—a development that reportedly frustrates the president.
These actions come as Russia has agreed to low-level talks with Ukraine and the U.S. next month, but expectations are minimal. Putin seeks a deal that Russia can live with and Ukraine cannot, and he appears to be counting on Trump to pressure Zelensky into accepting unfavorable terms. Trump's tendency to blame Zelensky for prolonging the war, rather than Russia, which started it unprovoked, plays directly into Putin's hands.
While in Moscow this week, Trump's chief negotiator, Steve Witkoff, lavished praise on Putin after the release of a retired American teacher who had been imprisoned for four years on what many consider fabricated charges. "You are a humanitarian also, sir, and I salute that," Witkoff told Putin. This was a stunning moment, given that Putin's regime is responsible for countless atrocities, including the ongoing missile strikes on Ukrainian civilians.
The president's affinity for strongmen is not merely a personality quirk; it has tangible consequences. His policies have provided economic relief to Russia and signaled that the U.S. may abandon its commitment to democratic allies. As Wall Street Journal columnist Gerry Baker warns, "America is still the greatest country on earth, but its greatness will atrophy unless it restores its historic sense of purpose and the ideals of its founding principles."
Trump's "bromance" with Putin is a dangerous deviation from U.S. interests. It emboldens an adversary, isolates a democratic ally, and diminishes America's moral authority on the world stage. As the war in Ukraine grinds on, the president's choices—and his rhetoric—are increasingly indefensible.
