Trump finally shows his cards — he’s siding with Russia

Former President Joe Biden often declared during his administration that America and the world were “at an inflection point.” Putting aside his failings at coping with the inflection points in Afghanistan and Ukraine during his own administration, he would be right in saying we are at such a historic impasse now.

President Trump has just shocked most of the world — and generated exuberance in the Kremlin — by stunningly accusing Ukraine of starting the war with Russia. Trump declared that Ukraine is responsible for the massive Russia-inflicted death and destruction in its own country by refusing to “make a deal” with Vladimir Putin — that is, by not capitulating to Putin's ultimatum that Ukraine surrender its independence and territorial sovereignty, cease to exist as an independent nation, and accept absorption into a restored Russian and neo-Soviet Empire.

Never mind that under that “peaceful” scenario, the vast majority of the population that still thinks of itself as Ukrainian would face the gruesome prospect already experienced by hundreds of thousands of their fellow citizens trapped in Russian-occupied parts of the country: repression, brainwashing, imprisonment, rape, torture, and execution.

It is not for nothing that the International Criminal Court has accused Putin and his forces of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in occupied Ukraine and wanton destruction of hospitals, schools and other civilian facilities in areas still resisting Russia’s invasion.

Never mind also that Russia, along with the United Kingdom and the United States, signed the Budapest Memorandum in 1997, guaranteeing Ukraine’s political independence and territorial integrity in exchange for its surrender of Soviet-era nuclear weapons. Putin today demands also that Ukraine and the West abandon all hope of Ukraine ever exercising the right of all free nations to associate with other countries in collective security arrangements. Trump’s Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, last week ruled out NATO membership for Ukraine as “not realistic” despite years of explicit U.S. and NATO promises of Ukraine’s eventual accession. Trump has made clear that he agrees with Putin that the possibility of NATO membership justified Russia’s invasion.

Back in 2012, President Barack Obama promised Russia he would be “more flexible” after his reelection. In 2014, when Russia helped Bashar Assad use chemical weapons against Syria’s political opposition to stay in power despite Obama’s red line, and when Putin invaded Eastern Ukraine and Crimea, Obama kept his promise and did nothing.

When Putin openly prepared to invade Ukraine again in 2022, President Biden promised to impose economic sanctions on Russia and to help Ukraine. But he refused to send U.S. forces, establish a no-fly zone, or allow NATO allies to send the advanced weapons Ukraine needed to defend itself, to avoid starting “World War III.” On Biden’s watch, Ukraine did not fall and World War III did not erupt, but Ukraine was consigned to three years of a grueling war of attrition that cost hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian and Russian lives and massive destruction of critical infrastructure and historic cities.

Enter Trump, his special relationship with Putin, and his claim that the war would never have happened, had he been in power.

Trump is already demonstrating how he would have prevented the war — by taking Putin’s side and cutting off support for Ukraine.

He is right to demand that Europe do more for its own defense, but disastrously wrong to believe America’s withdrawal from the world can succeed.

Trump’s openly siding with an accused war criminal constitutes the greatest repudiation of Western values and collective security arrangements by any American president since World War II and the history of the Republic. If Congress and the courts allow it to stand, Trump can kiss his desire for a Nobel Peace Prize goodbye. Perhaps instead of being placed next to Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt on Mount Rushmore, a Russian mountain will feature the carved images of Lenin, Stalin, Putin and Trump.

Trump is right that a little disruption to foreign relations can motivate allies to take their own self-defense more seriously. But if adversaries like China see divisions and openings in the West, they will surely exploit them. Trump's Ukraine policy and the rewards it offers for Putin's aggression simply opens too many doors for America's enemies.

Joseph Bosco served as China country director for the secretary of Defense from 2005 to 2006 and as Asia-Pacific director of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief from 2009 to 2010. He is a nonresident fellow at the Institute for Corean-American Studies, a member of the advisory board of the Global Taiwan Institute and member of the advisory board of The Vandenberg Coalition.

Topics

Ukraine or Russia: Whose Side Is Trump On?

Nick asks former UK foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt.
BBC News - 2d
Trump: Zelensky 'has no cards,' 'shouldn't be at meetings' with Russia

President Trump on Friday lashed out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying he did not think it was important for Zelensky to attend negotiations about the war in Ukraine. Trump in an ...
The Hill - 13h
England to show ‘nastiness’ as Itoje backs side to wrestle back Calcutta Cup

Captain calls on his team to ‘create our own history’ Assistant coach Tom Harrison: ‘there’s a nastiness to us’ England have vowed to show their nasty side against Scotland on Saturday with the ...
The Guardian - 12h
Mbappé visits his Ligue 2 side Caen on day off

Kylian Mbappé put on his ownership hat and made a surprise visit to his struggling Ligue 2 side Stade Malherbe Caen on Thursday.
ESPN - 17h
As Ukraine war reaches 3-year mark, Russia seems to have time on its side

Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine three years ago has turned into Europe’s largest conflict since World War II
ABC News - 2d
Aaron Rodgers reveals two things he's looking for with his next team

New York parted ways with Rodgers last week
CBS Sports - 1d
What’s really behind Trump’s abrupt pivot to Russia?

The president has shocked allies by opening talks with Moscow and criticising Ukraine. Will this dramatic shift in US foreign policy hold?
Financial Times - 11h
Man offers to split winnings after thieves win jackpot with his credit card

The Frenchman has called on the thieves to strike a deal with him to split the €500,000 (£413,664) prize.
BBC News - 8h
A YouTuber in India is facing backlash over comments he made on a comedy show. Here's what to know

A famous YouTuber in India is facing public outrage and a police investigation after he made an allegedly obscene remark on a YouTube show last week
ABC News - 2d
Trump calls Zelenskyy a "dictator" after blaming Ukraine for Russia's invasion

"A Dictator without Elections, Zelenskyy better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left," President Trump wrote.
CBS News - 2d
Giannis' new weapon: Can his midrange game elevate the Bucks? | The Kevin O'Connor Show

If Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to shoot efficiently from midrange, the Bucks could turn traditional defensive schemes upside down.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Ohtani throws a 2nd bullpen session as he makes his way back to the mound for the Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani threw his second bullpen session of spring training on Tuesday
ABC News - 3d
Hawks' Trae Young has a bone to pick with referees who 'take s--- personally,' but he dug his own hole

Young's Hawks lost to Orlando on Thursday and he didn't like the way the whistle blew
CBS Sports - 1d
19 things Trump and his team did this week

In his fifth week in office, Trump called Zelensky a dictator, sought more federal civil service cuts and dropped in on Nascar.
BBC News - 2h
‘I believe myself to be an honorable person’: Do I have the right to ask my husband if I’ll inherit his house after he dies?

“He and his first wife have a son who just graduated from university.”
MarketWatch - 8h
Trump says he's weighing giving 20% of DOGE savings to Americans

President Donald Trump revealed Wednesday that he's considering sending 20% of the money saved by the Department of Government Efficiency to Americans.
CNBC - 1d
Europe’s New Reality: Trump May Not Quit NATO, but He’s Already Undercutting It

European officials knew the president’s win would threaten the fundamental precepts of the post-World War II order. But the speed at which it is unraveling has created a crisis of enormous ...
The New York Times - 1d
Trump says he’s going to Fort Knox to inspect gold reserves

President Trump said Thursday he intends to make a trip to Fort Knox in Kentucky to inspect the nation’s gold reserves amid a push from Elon Musk and some Republicans to conduct a review the ...
The Hill - 1d
Trump Marks Black History Month, Even as He Disparages Value of Diversity

President Trump arrived at a packed White House celebration alongside Tiger Woods to a roaring crowd. The event came as he has eviscerated federal programs aimed at combating inequality in America.
The New York Times - 1d
Trump says he's had 'good talks' with Putin but not Ukraine

President Donald Trump said he's had "good talks" with Russia's Vladimir Putin but not with Ukraine, and that he's "sick" of how Volodymyr Zelenskyy has handled the war.
ABC News - 10h
Trump says he is considering merging USPS with Commerce Department

President Trump told reporters he would be considering merging the United States Postal Service with the Commerce Department, knocking the current state of the USPS as a "tremendous loser."
NBC News - 8h
Trump calls US hockey team ahead of 4 Nations Face-Off final against Canada

President Donald Trump has called the U.S. hockey team to wish players good luck ahead of their 4 Nations Face-Off final against Canada
ABC News - 1d
Trump says his administration will check Fort Knox 'to make sure the gold is there'

A drive to audit Fort Knox has gained steam recently from comments by Elon Musk on X.
CNBC - 1d
Starmer will not challenge Trump on his attack on Zelenskyy when the pair meet

UK prime minister aiming to cool escalating transatlantic row over war in Ukraine. Keir Starmer will not risk riling Donald Trump by challenging him over his attack on Ukraine’s president, ...
The Guardian - 11h
Trump Appears to Back Away From His Gaza Plan

Earlier this month, the president said he favored taking control of Gaza and displacing the Palestinian population of the devastated seaside enclave. But Egypt and Jordan flatly rejected cooperating.
The New York Times - 9h
Waltz insists Zelesnkyy will sign Russia war deal as Trump appears to walk back comments

National Security Advisor Mike Waltz is adamant that Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will sign a deal to end the war with Russia. This comes as President Trump appears to walk back comments ...
CBS News - 11h
Trump officials want to ban junk food from SNAP. Past efforts show it's not easy to do

A push to ban sugary drinks, candy and more from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program may soon get a boost from new Trump Administration officials
ABC News - 2d
Trump says he ‘had very good talks with Putin’ and again criticizes Ukraine – live

US president also accuses Kyiv of talking ‘tough’ but having few bargaining chips in latest remarks in feud with Ukrainian president Zelenskyy. French far-right leader cancels CPAC speech over ...
The Guardian - 7h
What are Trump’s USPS plans? He says the Postal Service is a ‘tremendous loser’ that should ‘operate a lot better.’

President Donald Trump on Friday said his administration is working on an overhaul of the U.S. Postal Service and indicated that multiple options were under consideration.
MarketWatch - 8h
Trump Elevates Kremlin Talking Points, a Familiar Pattern From His First Term

President Trump’s description of President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine as a “Dictator without Elections” echoes the Kremlin’s messaging.
The New York Times - 1d
Trump’s first month back in office marked by mixed polling on his federal cuts

NBC News White House Correspondent Yamiche Alcindor, Senior National Security Correspondent Courtney Kube and Capitol Hill Correspondent Julie Tsirkin join Meet the Press NOW to report on President ...
NBC News - 1d
Trump backs Rep. Byron Donalds in his likely run for Florida governor in 2026

President Donald Trump on Thursday publicly supported Republican Rep. Byron Donalds' likely bid for Florida governor in 2026.
NBC News - 1d
What 11 Black Voters Think About Trump’s Actions in His First Month

Many Black Americans were frustrated by the Trump administration’s targeting of D.E.I. programs. But others embraced the speed at which he moved.
The New York Times - 18h
Trump to sign more executive orders today, despite legal pushback on several of his directives

Trump is slated to sign more executive orders this afternoon. Several of his directives have already faced pushback during his first month in office.
NBC News - 17h
Hawks' Young after loss: Officiating 'one-sided'

Hawks All-Star guard Trae Young said the officiating was "one-sided" after Thursday night's loss to the Magic.
ESPN - 18h
Their Best Match Came With the Final Swipe

Illyse Singer and Ty Duncan were having little luck with dating apps until they connected on Tinder more than two years ago and quickly found they had much in common.
The New York Times - 1d
Is Russia Open for Business — and at What Cost?

Investors seem open to the prospect of peace talks, but Western companies face a dilemma just three years after many retreated from the country.
The New York Times - 2d
"48 Hours" show schedule

True crime. Real justice. To miss it would be a crime.
CBS News - 13h
Emma Raducanu stalking case illustrates dark side of women’s sport

Emma Raducanu’s second-round match at the Dubai Tennis Championships was only minutes old when she became visibly distressed. After swatting a return into the net, the Briton walked over to the ...
Yahoo Sports - 2d

More in Politics

NYC Mayor Eric Adams' corruption case continues for now, judge rules

A judge in New York City Mayor Eric Adams' corruption case has appointed an outside attorney to argue over the Department of Justice's request to drop the federal charges.
CBS News - 1h
FBI told to transfer 1,500 personnel from headquarters: Reports

The FBI told managers that 1,500 personnel will be transferred from the headquarters near Washington headquarters to offices around the country, including around a third being placed in an Alabama ...
The Hill - 1h
Trump removes Brown, names new Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman

President Trump has fired Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr., a four-star pilot, and named Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine to be the country’s next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “I want to ...
The Hill - 2h
Trump scores big legal wins, but efforts to reshape government still face court hurdles

The Trump administration's efforts to swiftly remake the federal government notched some big wins in court this week — including a ruling that allows its firing spree to continue — but a number of ...
NBC News - 3h
Trump fires chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff CQ Brown

President Donald Trump fired Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman CQ Brown Jr., the country's highest-ranking military officer, from his position. This comes amid a wave of administration changes under ...
NBC News - 3h