White House drama shifts US‑Russia relations and stirs global leaders
The dramatic events at the White House have drawn reactions from many world leaders. The BBC notes that there has been no such reaction from Vladimir Putin. Other Russian politicians have been much less restrained.
The dramatic scenes at the White House on Friday captured the attention of many global leaders. According to the BBC, one of the few leaders who refrained from commenting on this matter was Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin appears in no hurry to respond, as the Russian president can afford to watch developments unfold. Donald Trump predicted that the public spat with President Zelensky would "make great television."
The BBC is confident that Vladimir Putin took pleasure in the "spectacle" of the US President and Vice President publicly humiliating Volodymyr Zelensky in front of the international community. Although Putin refrained from commenting, Russian officials have expressed their views.
Former President Dmitry Medvedev, currently the deputy head of Russia's Security Council, wrote on social media that President Zelensky "got a proper slap down in the Oval Office" and urged the USA to cease military aid to Ukraine. Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, commended Trump and JD Vance for their "miracle of restraint" in not physically striking the Ukrainian president.
New US-Russia relations
As indicated by the BBC, while US-Ukraine relations are under threat, US-Russia relations may be on the mend. In recent weeks, Trump and Putin have spoken by phone, pledging close cooperation. Discussions about a possible summit have surfaced, and initial US-Russia talks about resetting relations and exploring potential economic cooperation have already begun. Putin has suggested joint projects with Americans on rare earth minerals and aluminium production.
The deterioration in relations between Ukraine and the USA could have significant repercussions for Kyiv but potentially positive outcomes for Moscow. If the flow of American weapons to Ukraine is halted, it will become increasingly difficult for Ukrainians to defend themselves against Russian forces, despite solidarity and support from European leaders. Moscow has long believed that the war in Ukraine is unfolding to its advantage, and the spat at the White House only reinforced this belief.
