It was 2018, a meeting between Trump and Putin took place in Helsinki, the capital of Finland, right after the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which Russia hosted. During the press conference, Trump and Putin stood side by side. At that moment, Putin handed a football to Trump, saying, "Mr. President, I will give this ball to you. And now the ball is in your court." This gesture was symbolic, involving meaningful discussions on Syria, Ukraine, and nuclear arms, and represented moving forward with two of the world’s superpowers.
Back in 2016, in Helsinki itself, Putin expressed his desire to see Trump as president. When Trump came to power in 2016, Russian interference in the U.S. election was hotly debated.
The 'Bromance' of Trump and Putin and Biden’s 'Killer' Label
In 2020, Trump was ousted from power. When Biden came into office, nothing changed regarding Russia. Biden viewed Russia and Putin through the Cold War lens, considering Putin a traditional U.S. adversary, labeling him a 'killer'. To Biden, it was crucial to control Putin, while Putin regarded Biden as a symbol of American imperialist policies.
With Trump returning in 2025 for his second term, media began debating the 'bromance' between Trump and Putin again. Upon Trump’s reelection on January 20, 2025, Putin congratulated him and proposed dialogue for "long-term peace." Trump responded, saying he would "talk soon" with Putin, sparking further conversations about their "bromance."
A day after taking the oath on January 21, Trump expressed his desire to end the Ukraine conflict swiftly. He reiterated his wish for 'good relations' with Putin, arguing that closer ties with Russia would benefit global peace. Putin also showed willingness to collaborate, especially following the 2024 election, accepting Trump's victory with an "open mind" and offering dialogue.
The question arises: Are Trump and Putin redefining relations between the two superpowers? Why does President Trump want to improve relations with Russia and Putin?
An Anti-America Bloc and Trump’s Concern
We asked
Foreign Affairs Expert and author of the book 'Trumpotopia', Robinder Sachdev
, this very question. He noted, "The primary reason for President Trump to mend ties with Russia is his belief that Russia is not inherently an enemy of the U.S., and the long-standing U.S.-Russia conflict is not in either country's interest. Trump thinks excessive pressure on Russia has pushed it closer to China, forming a strong anti-America bloc. Trump aims to weaken the Russia-China alliance and forge a path for Russia to reconcile with Western nations."
Defense Expert Qamar Agha
echoed this view in a conversation with AajTak.in, stating, "America desperately wants to separate Russia from China because their united front poses a significant challenge for the U.S. America cannot tackle Chinese challenges while confronting Russia."
Qamar Agha pointed out that America understands it cannot dismantle Russia or remove Putin, who enjoys support from both the Russian military and the church. Initially, the U.S. believed Putin would fall, but that did not happen.
Robinder Sachdev mentions that Trump's priority is ending the Ukraine war, which he sees as a means to bring stability to Europe and achieve a significant diplomatic victory, potentially benefiting his party in the 2026 Congress elections. The removal of sanctions on Russia would stabilize global energy markets, reduce inflation in the U.S., and lower energy costs. These strategic, diplomatic, and economic factors motivate Trump to realign relations with Putin.
Defense Expert Qamar Agha also acknowledges that the American economy is in crisis. According to him, by improving U.S.-Russia relations, Trump is serving American interests.
Under such circumstances, Russia has invited the U.S. to invest within its borders, even offering areas in Ukraine currently under Russian control, which comprises 18% of Ukraine's territory. If relationships between America and Russia improve, America will invest in Russia's metal industry.
The Shadow of the Cold War and Future Prospects
Historically, American and former USSR relations have been complex. Post World War II, the relationship narrates a saga of ambiguity, rivalry, espionage, counter-espionage, covert, and overt operations between the world’s two most powerful nations.
The Cold War, historically defined as the ideological and military standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union from the late 1940s to 1991, formally ended with the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
However, the world hasn't fully emerged from the shadow of the Cold War. The term
