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Christo Atanasov Kostov, International Relations, Cold War, nationalism, Russian propaganda, IE University

Being soft on Russia has never worked, and history proves it

Mirko Kuzmanovic/Shutterstock

Since returning to the White House in 2025, US President Donald Trump has dramatically reshaped US policy toward Russia, adopting a markedly softer stance on Vladimir Putin and the ongoing war in Ukraine. This approach has included cutting military aid to Ukraine, and pressuring Kyiv to accept unfavourable terms to end the fighting.

Trump is also weakening America’s negotiating position by repeatedly and prematurely signalling the concessions the US is willing to make.

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