On Sunday, the Kremlin stated that the recent shift in U.S. foreign policy aligns closely with its own vision, praising President Donald Trump for exhibiting what they describe as “common sense.” Since taking office in January, Trump has made efforts to strengthen ties with Moscow, notably siding with Russia in United Nations votes on two occasions.
According to Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, the new U.S. administration is swiftly altering all foreign policy dynamics. He remarked, “This largely coincides with our vision,” indicating a potential thaw in U.S.-Russia relations. Peskov highlighted that while progress is possible, there remains a significant amount of damage to the complex bilateral relations between the two nations.
“If the political will of the two leaders, President Putin and President Trump, is maintained, this path can be quite quick and successful,” Peskov added. His comments, made earlier in the week, were only released to the public on Sunday, following a contentious exchange between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Oval Office.
During a meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump made headlines by asserting that Ukraine was losing the war against Russia and had “no cards” left to play. This shift in rhetoric marks a significant departure from traditional U.S. policy regarding Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, which recently reached its third anniversary.
Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, also commended Trump’s pragmatic approach, suggesting that his “common sense” goal is to bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine. Lavrov criticized European nations for their support of Zelenskyy and their role in prolonging the war, calling Trump a “pragmatist.” He noted that Trump’s slogan, “common sense,” reflects a desire for a new approach to international relations.
Despite the potential for cooperation, Lavrov acknowledged that the U.S. continues to aspire to be the world’s dominant power and that Washington and Moscow will not always agree on various issues. However, he emphasized that pragmatism could prevail when mutual interests align. The Kremlin has frequently criticized former President Joe Biden, accusing him of exacerbating tensions by permitting Kyiv to use long-range missiles against Russia.
Lavrov pointed out that the current U.S. leadership appears to be more inclined toward common sense and expressed a desire for peace. He stated, “People have come in who want to be guided by common sense. They say directly that they want to end all wars, they want peace. And who demands a ‘continuation of the banquet’ in the form of a war? Europe.”
In conclusion, Lavrov remarked, “The goal is still MAGA (Make America Great Again),” referring to Trump’s political platform. He added that Trump’s approach brings a “lively, human character” to politics, making it interesting for diplomatic engagement.
