Russia's Big Chance: How Trump's Return Could Shift the Ukraine War

For years, Russia looked on as Ukraine drew closer to the West. Moscow was nervous about NATO, the U.S., Europe. Ukraine was not just a neighbour to them. It was family turning away.

So in 2014, Russia acted. Took Crimea. Started a war in the east. The West cut ties. Trust was gone.

Then in 2022, Russia invaded. Ukraine was going to fall fast was what they believed. It didn’t. Ukraine fought back hard. Under Biden, the U.S. punished Russia with suffering sanctions and handed over money and, even weapons. That stopped Russia’s early push.

So Russia changed tactics. It dug in, and found new allies — China, Iran—since the West shut it out.

Now it’s 2025. Trump is back. Suddenly, the U.S. wants a deal. Less support for Ukraine. Even more pressure on the side to make peace—potentially make peace even if that means giving up land.

For Russia, this is huge. Now, the one country keeping them from completing their work seems now willing to compromise. Perhaps even allow them to retain what they had taken.

This is an opportunity for Russia to win, not with a fight but with words. And they have no intention of wasting it.