In less than a decade, President Donald Trump has reshaped American politics in ways that have drawn the U.S. closer to Vladimir Putin’s Russia, challenging decades of bipartisan foreign policy consensus. Once seen as an outlier in his party, Trump’s rhetoric—ranging from his praise of Putin to his skepticism of NATO—has now become a defining feature of the modern Republican Party.
From the moment he took office in 2017, Trump repeatedly questioned the value of U.S. alliances, called NATO “obsolete,” and cast doubt on Russia’s interference in the 2016 election. His stance softened Washington’s traditionally tough approach toward Moscow, even as U.S. intelligence agencies confirmed Russian cyberattacks and election meddling.
Trump’s influence did not end with his presidency. Today, a growing number of Republicans in Congress oppose continued military aid to Ukraine, echoing his calls for “America First” policies. At a recent rally, Trump even suggested that, if re-elected, he would not protect NATO allies who fail to meet defense spending targets, a remark that prompted global concern.
Meanwhile, Putin has seized on Trump-era divisions, using them to justify Russia’s aggressive stance against Ukraine and test Western unity. The former president’s grip on the GOP, coupled with a significant shift in conservative media narratives, has led to a noticeable erosion of traditional U.S. foreign policy priorities.
As Trump remains the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican nomination, the prospect of another Trump presidency raises questions about the future of U.S.-Russia relations. Would a second Trump term further weaken NATO? Would it lead to an end of U.S. support for Ukraine? And most importantly, would it mark a fundamental realignment of global power dynamics?
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