Trump's Russia First Policy

President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin arrive at a joint news conference after their summit in Helsinki, Finland, on July 16, 2018.Chris McGrath / Getty Images file

Selling Out America

In just six weeks, Trump has done more to dismantle America than any foreign adversary ever could. He’s wrecking the economy, gutting key government agencies—including intelligence and law enforcement—undermining the military, aligning the U.S. with terrorist Russia, threatening to attack allies, cutting services for veterans, and ceding American power to Russia and China. No enemy could cause more damage than Trump and his cronies.

Republicans are sitting back and allowing it all to happen while Trump desperately tries to hand Ukraine to Vladimir Putin on a gold platter. He is furious that Ukraine refuses to surrender. And make no mistake, his singular goal is to force Kyiv’s capitulation under the guise of a “deal,” and the evidence is undeniable. In just the past few days, these have been the headlines:

• U.S. pauses military aid to Ukraine, says White House

• White House seeks plan for possible Russia sanctions relief, sources say

• Hegseth Orders Pentagon to Stop Offensive Cyber Operations Against Russia

• State Department terminates U.S. support of Ukraine energy grid restoration

• Kremlin: Trump foreign policy ‘largely aligns’ with our vision

Meanwhile, Putin and Russian officials have openly admitted that no concrete plan for Ukraine exists, exposing Trump’s blatant lies about ending the war immediately. In reality, he is actively working to prop up Russia as its economy falters and its military suffers huge losses in its 11-year genocidal war against Ukraine. And Russia can end the war at any time simply by withdrawing from Ukraine—no “negotiation” plans needed.

As a result, Moscow is popping champagne for what Trump and Republicans have delivered to the Kremlin since Trump’s return to power. The damage goes beyond Ukraine—Trump is openly attacking U.S. allies, threatening military actions against Canada, Mexico, and Greenland, attacking NATO, and handing geopolitical victories to Russia and China on a scale they could never have achieved on their own.

A Predictable Betrayal: Trump’s Fealty to Russia

Trump’s fealty to Russia was entirely predictable. His admiration for Russia dates back to Soviet days. During his first term, Trump’s foreign policy was riddled with actions that directly benefited Moscow’s strategic goals: undermining NATO, attempting to withdraw U.S. troops from Germany, siding with Putin over U.S. intelligence at the Helsinki summit, dismissing intelligence of Russia putting bounties on U.S. military in Afghanistan, and trying to extort Ukraine for political favors. However, during that time, there were guardrails that prevented him from fully enacting his most extreme plans.

This time, those guardrails are gone. Trump has learned from his past mistakes, installing loyalists across the government who will not oppose his extremist agenda. He has purged national security agencies, gutted USAID, and dismantled key intelligence operations designed to counter Russian influence. His regime has even invited Russian spies back to the embassy in D.C., further signaling his willingness to deliver for Moscow at the expense of U.S. security.

Sabotaging NATO and Strengthening America’s Enemies

Trump’s hostility toward NATO is nothing new, but the latest threats from Musk and other Trump allies to withdraw the U.S. from the alliance or render it ineffective are serious and exactly what Russia has dreamed of since the Soviet era. Trump has already demanded that NATO allies must dramatically increase their defense spending or risk abandonment—a move that emboldens Russia and weakens Western security. His message is clear: under his leadership, the U.S. will no longer stand by its allies, leaving Europe exposed to Russian aggression.

At the same time, Trump has directed the Treasury and State Department to explore easing sanctions on Russia, effectively rewarding Putin for his war crimes and genocide. Instead of using America’s power to weaken Russia’s war machine, he is actively working to prop it up. If Trump were truly serious about stopping the war, why is he handing Moscow everything it wants before “negotiations” have even begun? Why is he taking deliberate actions to weaken Ukraine on the battlefield while humiliating and calling for the removal of its leadership? His actions make it clear—this isn’t about peace, it’s about ensuring a Russian victory.

Undermining Ukraine and Bolstering Russia’s War Effort

Trump’s open hostility toward Ukraine is yet another gift to the Kremlin. His latest actions follow last week's Oval Office meeting, where Zelenskyy walked into an ambush by Trump and Vance before being abruptly kicked out of the White House—an un-American display seemingly staged to justify halting military aid and cutting off support for Ukraine.

Not only has Trump paused vital assistance, but his allies in Congress have even called for Zelenskyy’s resignation. After falsely labeling him a dictator and blaming Ukraine for Russia’s genocidal war, Trump has only strengthened Ukrainian unity. His rhetoric mirrors Russian propaganda, which has long sought to delegitimize Ukraine’s leadership—even attempting multiple assassinations—to justify Russia’s invasion.

By halting U.S. cyber operations against Russia, Trump has also left Moscow free to continue its cyberattacks on U.S. critical infrastructure. Rather than protecting American interests, he is actively dismantling defenses against Russian aggression.

Beyond military and political sabotage, Trump is attempting to extort Ukraine for its valuable mineral resources—likely to share with Moscow or acting as a frontman. His goal is clear: turn Ukraine into a Russian vassal state while profiting from its natural wealth. The real question is—who ultimately is the beneficiary of this mineral deal?

Aiding and Abetting Economic and Military Sabotage

Beyond foreign policy, Trump is actively sabotaging America’s economic and military strength. He has slashed funding and services for veterans, gutted essential government agencies, shuttered USAID—a long-standing goal of both Soviet and Russian influence operations—and created chaos within the U.S. military by sowing division, politicizing leadership, and weakening defense readiness. He is deliberately making America less competitive, more isolated, and dangerously vulnerable to foreign adversaries and attacks.

While Trump betrays American interests, his Republican enablers either cheer him on or remain silent, complicit in the destruction of America. This is not just appeasement—it is active collaboration with America’s adversaries seeking U.S. destruction. They are dismantling America from within while paving the way for Russian and Chinese dominance. If this trajectory continues, the U.S. will find itself alone, weak, fractured, and incapable of countering the many rising global threats.

Trump’s Endgame: America in Ruins

There is no grand strategy here—Trump’s only goal is to enrich himself and his cronies and siphon America’s resources while delivering on Russia’s agenda. Whether through economic sabotage, foreign policy disasters, or the outright subversion of democracy, he is doing more to weaken America than any enemy could have dreamed. He has gutted counterintelligence operations, removed safeguards against foreign interference, and is working to allow Russian operatives free rein in the U.S.

It is way past time for Europe to step up. If Ukraine falls, Russia will not stop at its borders—it will move into the Baltics and other NATO countries. Trump’s betrayal of U.S. allies makes it clear that the West can no longer rely on American leadership under his regime. Europe must act decisively, increase military aid to Ukraine, strengthen its defenses, and prepare for a reality where the U.S. is no longer a reliable and trustworthy partner in global security. The stakes could not be higher—and the security of Europe is at stake.

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