In a recent statement, Svetlana Zhurova, the first deputy chair of the Russian State Duma's Committee on International Affairs, has dismissed former U.S. President Donald Trump's claims that Russia and China refrained from starting conflicts during his presidency out of fear of him.
Campaign Rhetoric
According to Zhurova, these assertions are merely a part of Trump's election campaign rhetoric.
During the Republican National Convention, Trump claimed that his presidency instilled fear and respect in countries like Russia, preventing them from initiating conflicts. He further promised to resolve all international disputes should he return to power. However, Zhurova countered this narrative in an interview with Lenta.
Not Afraid
"We were not afraid of Trump," Zhurova stated. "On the contrary, we hoped he would reset Russian-American relations, which never happened. Instead, we were labeled as strategic adversaries alongside China."
Zhurova criticized Trump’s statements as an attempt to shift the blame onto President Joe Biden for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. She described these remarks as part of Trump’s election manipulation strategy.
Trump has previously asserted that, if re-elected, he could end the fighting in Ukraine within 24 hours. He claims that his familiarity with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would allow him to resolve the conflict even before his inauguration in January 2025.
