Kremlin hardliners cheer growing Trump-Zelenskiy tension despite limited gains
Russian hawks are welcoming the public clash between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskiy, but see little concrete benefit for Moscow.
Kremlin hardliners are relishing the public dispute between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskiy, viewing it as a weakening of Ukraine’s most vital partner. Dmitry Medvedev mocked Zelenskiy on Telegram, while Kirill Dmitriev posted a symbolic bear-eagle-lion graphic suggesting a shift in global power balances. Critics in Moscow, including Sergei Mironov, see the tension as a domestic US political ploy ahead of congressional midterms rather than a genuine Russian win.
The modest diesel-fuel arrangement Trump announced and his decision to skip new oil sanctions are judged to have minimal impact on Russia’s budget. Continued Ukrainian drone attacks and persistent sanctions further blunt any potential advantage. State-media commentator Sergey Poletaev warned Russia should treat the development as a long-term reality, not an immediate triumph.
Why it matters
The US-Ukraine split could reshape diplomatic dynamics and affect sanctions and aid to Kyiv.
How this story developed
- Oct 5 Russia’s intensified winter attacks threaten Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure and morale
- Oct 17 Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski announced that the United States is considering a three-way meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and former US President Donald Trump, with possible venues ranging from the Gulf to Europe.
- Oct 17 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced encouragement to continue attacks, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal accused Trump of “flattering Vladimir Putin”, and Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev praised the decision.
- Oct 17 The executive order states the waiver will remain in effect until the president or senior officials determine further action.
- Oct 17 US officials indicated they may limit intelligence data to Ukrainian forces.
- Oct 18 Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the administration will study the impact of the suspension on the global economy.
- Oct 18 Volodymyr Zelenskyj said that US authorities had ordered a brief suspension of Starlink for Ukraine’s military, which has since been lifted.
- Oct 18 Zelensky warned that any formal U.S. alignment with Vladimir Putin would be a historic mistake.
- Oct 18 Ukraine struck a refinery in Saint Petersburg, prompting renewed U.S. criticism of Kyiv’s energy attacks.
- Oct 18 Trump offered extra Patriot missiles if Ukraine ceases refinery attacks.
- Oct 18 Zelensky said he had a call with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner amid the new crisis between the Ukrainian president and Donald Trump, who recently exempted Russia from new sanctions.
- Oct 19 The United States continues to review the feasibility of a trilateral summit with Putin and Trump.
- Oct 19 Trump signed an executive order pausing broad sanctions on Russia, including a temporary diesel waiver.
- Oct 19 Trump suspended a sanctions package on Russia, lifted a restriction on Russian diesel exports, and blamed Zelenskyy for prolonging the war.
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