Media Wire Express Correspondent
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has praised former U.S. President Donald Trump for his stance on NATO, suggesting that Trump recognizes the alliance’s expansion as a key factor in the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
Speaking before Russian lawmakers, Lavrov highlighted Trump’s comments that Ukraine’s push to join NATO contributed to escalating tensions with Moscow.
According to Lavrov, Trump’s position marks a rare departure from Western rhetoric, as most leaders avoid acknowledging NATO’s role in the situation. He suggested that Trump’s perspective could influence future U.S. foreign policy, particularly if he were to return to office.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that the war in Ukraine would not have happened if he were still president. He has also been critical of President Joe Biden’s approach, arguing that efforts to bring Ukraine closer to NATO were a major misstep. The Kremlin has long viewed Ukraine’s potential NATO membership as a security threat, a concern that Russia used to justify its military actions.
These remarks come as diplomatic engagements between Russia and the United States show signs of reopening. Recently, senior officials from both nations met in Riyadh, marking the first high-level discussions in over three years. During the talks, Russia reiterated its demand for NATO to withdraw its 2008 pledge to eventually admit Ukraine into the alliance. Moscow sees this promise as a direct provocation, further worsening relations between Russia and the West.
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Trump’s position on NATO and Ukraine has sparked concerns in Kyiv. Ukrainian officials fear that if Trump returns to the White House, U.S. support for Ukraine could weaken, and they might be pressured into making territorial or political concessions. President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that any shift in U.S. policy could leave Ukraine vulnerable at a crucial moment in the conflict.
Meanwhile, Europe remains divided on how to approach the ongoing war and NATO’s role in it. French President Emmanuel Macron recently suggested expanding France’s nuclear deterrence to include broader European defense, a move that some view as an attempt to counterbalance growing uncertainty over NATO’s future commitments. At the same time, European leaders are debating increased defense spending and whether to deploy European forces in Ukraine.
