Trump’s Stance on Ukraine Wins Praise from Moscow, Calls It a “Positive Development”

U.S. President Donald Trump’s tense Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signals a shift in U.S. foreign policy — one that, according to a Kremlin spokesman, "largely aligns" with Russia’s interests.

Trump’s evolving stance on Ukraine, including his public reprimand of Zelensky and reports of a halt in U.S. military aid to Kyiv, has drawn praise from Russian officials w, according to The Kyiv Independent.

Since taking office, Trump has distanced the U.S. from its traditional role as Ukraine’s main backer, questioning Kyiv’s commitment to peace and suggesting that Ukraine shares responsibility for the ongoing war.

The shift has led to optimism in Moscow about a possible thaw in U.S.-Russia relations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state television on March 3 that "the new administration is rapidly reshaping all foreign policy configurations," calling the development a positive one for Russia.

During the Oval Office meeting on February 28, Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance accused Zelensky of failing to show gratitude for U.S. support and warned that his unwillingness to negotiate with Putin risked escalating the conflict further.

In response, European leaders reaffirmed their support for Ukraine, condemning Russia’s invasion and calling for continued Western military assistance. The growing divide in approaches has raised questions about the future of U.S. aid to Kyiv.

Russian officials have openly welcomed Trump’s stance. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov praised him as "the first, and so far, the only Western leader" to acknowledge what Moscow sees as the real causes of the war. Other Kremlin figures, including the deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council, commended Trump for adopting a more confrontational tone toward Zelensky, even branding Ukraine’s president a "dictator."

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested that after the war, Washington and Moscow could explore "potentially historic economic partnerships," including cooperation in Arctic development and rare earth mining.