Trump’s Dance with Moscow: A Tale of Mixed Messages and Now Rising Tensions

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U.S.-Russia relations are on a political rollercoaster, with President Donald Trump navigating between flashes of frustration and flashes of familiarity when it comes to dealing with Vladimir Putin. Recent developments have thrown the relationship into sharp focus once again, particularly after Putin proposed replacing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s administration with a United Nations-led “external governance” body.

Marco Rubio: Russia has broken the partial ceasefire several times. It will become clear in a couple of weeks whether Russia is ready for peace or just stalling for time.
However, "Trump won’t participate in endless negotiations," he said. pic.twitter.com/2U4UyXVyjY

— Polymarket Intel (@PolymarketIntel) April 4, 2025

 

Trump made clear that he was not pleased with Putin’s comments. “I was disappointed in a certain way, some of the things that were said over the last day or two having to do with Zelensky,” Trump said on March 30. “Because when [Putin] considers Zelensky not credible, he's supposed to be making a deal with him. Whether you like him or you don't like him.”

 

 

Following a day of golf with Trump, Finnish President Alexander Stubb told The Guardian, “I think America, and my sense is also the president of the United States, is running out of patience with Russia.” In line with that tone, Trump issued a warning that secondary tariffs of up to 50% on Russian oil exports could be on the table if Moscow continued to stall peace negotiations with Ukraine.

 

Yet Trump’s warning paled in comparison to the hard line taken by a bipartisan group of U.S. senators, who drafted legislation that would impose a staggering 500% secondary tariff on nations that continue to buy Russian oil, gas, and other resources. These sharp responses came as a surprise to many in Russia, where state media had recently been celebrating what they saw as warming ties between Washington and Moscow. Just last month, Nezavisimaya Gazeta claimed that U.S. and Russian officials had “started speaking the same language.”

 

That optimism did not last. On Wednesday, Moskovsky Komsomolets lashed out at the Trump administration, accusing it of “administrative insanity… inexperience… immaturity.” The paper derided the administration’s “bragging and arrogance” and mocked its eagerness to claim “huge breakthroughs” when barely a first step had been made. Meanwhile, Komsomolskaya Pravda noted, “On Ukraine talks, Donald's mood changes as often as the wind.”

 

Despite these criticisms and signs of cooling relations, there were still gestures suggesting some diplomatic openness. Notably, Russia was excluded from Trump’s latest list of countries hit by sweeping new tariffs. Instead, the U.S. granted a sanctions waiver for Putin’s foreign investment envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, who then traveled to Washington for direct talks with Trump officials. This momentary reprieve suggested that behind the harsh rhetoric, backchannels of cooperation remain intact.

 

However, any hope for a detente was short-lived. By Friday, another stern message came from Washington. During a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made clear that the Trump administration was growing impatient. “President Trump's not going to fall into the trap of endless negotiations about negotiations,” Rubio said. “We will know soon enough, in a matter of weeks, not months, whether Russia is serious about peace or not.” He added, “If they're not, then we'll have to re-evaluate where we stand and what we do moving forward about it.”

 

This sentiment was echoed by America’s NATO allies. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said, “Putin continues to obfuscate, continues to drag his feet. He could accept a ceasefire now, he continues to bombard Ukraine… We see you, Vladimir Putin, we know what you are doing.”

 

Speculation that Trump and Putin were set to speak by phone on Friday was met with yet more confusion. While initial reports hinted at a call, the White House appeared to change course, and the Kremlin announced that no conversation was planned. Still, reports surfaced that American companies are planning to attend the upcoming St. Petersburg Economic Forum, leaving the nature of U.S.-Russia ties as murky as ever.

 

The chaos leaves observers dizzy. It’s hard to keep pace with the constant shifts in tone, threats, and overtures. As the columnist put it bluntly: “Okay. Stop the ride. I need to get off.” The bigger picture, though, remains troubling. For months, Trump’s team avoided openly criticizing Putin and his full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Key figures like special envoy Steve Witkoff have been accused of parroting Kremlin talking points. While Washington now claims to be growing impatient and is threatening sanctions, nothing concrete has yet been enforced.

 

Based on a report by BBC  2025-04-05

 

 

 

 

[Jim Blue]

The longest 24 hours !

[henryford1958]

Eventually the fools will realize that Putin has no intention of ever accepting a peace deal. His aim is, and always was, the complete take over of Ukraine.

[Tug]

12 minutes ago, Jim Blue said:

The longest 24 hours !

Naa Donnie wants that photo op he will ,heck he allready has sold the brave Ukrainian people out.Im sure Putin’s sleeping soundly knowing his very best most valuable asset won’t let him down.its all posturing to fool the rubes.

[sharot724]

US says Putin will make decision on ceasefire in 'weeks, not months'

Trump is hog tied

[Middle Aged Grouch]

Whatever, but Trump is definately far more entertaining and appropriate for the job then the arrogant Biden and his cronies before.