Uncovered: Putin’s Covert Reassessment of Trump and the West’s Hegemony

It is rare to hear Russian President Vladimir putin defending the “sincerity” of us President Donald Trump. Yet, in Thursday’s extensive interview with the India Today Group, Putin did exactly that. While he delivered sharp criticism of the West—targeting American tariffs, geopolitical narratives, and the handling of the Ukraine war—he simultaneously projected Trump in a far more favourable light.

The interview encapsulated the unusual geometry of geopolitics in 2025. On one side, Moscow remains locked in confrontation with the Western world; on the other, the Kremlin is unexpectedly warm—almost indulgent—toward Trump, a leader with whom Putin once clashed. Despite repeatedly rejecting US peace plans and maintaining firm demands, Putin positioned himself as the statesman pursuing “genuine” peace, while implying that Trump is the only American leader sincerely trying to end the conflict.

This raises a crucial question: Are Putin and Trump reconciling behind the scenes? The answer, based on the interview and ongoing diplomatic interactions, is nuanced. But the image Putin is intentionally crafting suggests that he wants the world to believe such a rapprochement is possible—if not already underway.

Throughout the interview with Anjana Om Kashyap and Geeta Mohan, Putin avoided direct praise and dodged personal evaluations of Trump’s character. Yet he repeatedly framed Trump as a leader who “sincerely” wants an end to the Ukraine War. The consistency of this narrative is deliberate—and revealing.

The Kremlin appears to be carving out political space for Trump as an individual, distinct from what it calls the “hegemonic” Western worldview. The logic is simple: if a peace deal is ever signed, Trump would most likely be the American leader to authorize it.

A Strategic Warning Hidden in Putin’s Compliments

When asked how Trump might react to India and Russia strengthening their industrial and defence partnerships, Putin was cautious. “I never give character assessments about my colleagues,” he said, insisting that such judgments belong to the people who elect their leaders.

Was Putin carefully managing Trump’s ego? Possibly. But the tone changed instantly when the topic shifted to Trump’s claim that India was “funding the Russian-Ukrainian war” through oil purchases. Putin struck hard—not at Trump, but at the US political system.

“The United States still buys nuclear fuel from us,” Putin said sharply. “If the US has the right to buy our fuel, then why shouldn’t India?”

He then shifted responsibility away from Trump: “He has advisors who believe that implementing tariff policies and adding duties on trade partners benefits the US economy.”

This pattern continued throughout the interview: criticism directed at Washington and the broader establishment, but soft, almost protective language toward Trump. Even Trump’s tariff threats were framed as actions driven by his aides—not the president himself.

Once again, the target was the American system, not Donald Trump.

Why Putin Repeatedly Calls Trump ‘Sincere’

The more Putin discussed Trump, the clearer his strategic intent became.

When asked whether the Alaska meeting showed genuine peacemaking intent from Trump, Putin responded without hesitation: “I have absolutely no doubt that President Trump had genuine intentions.”

Putin elaborated further, explaining that part of Trump’s motivation to end the war stemmed from a “wish to minimize losses,” something the Russian leader described as “genuine.”

This framing is remarkable, given Trump’s controversial actions in 2024 and 2025—halting US military aid to Ukraine, endorsing peace plans skewed heavily toward Russia, and repeatedly pushing false narratives about Ukraine starting the conflict.

Yet Putin chose not to portray Trump as misinformed or misguided. Instead, he painted Trump as a lone American leader whose sincerity is obstructed by political and economic interests in Washington. Despite rejecting several US proposals, Putin suggested Trump was the only American willing to negotiate on Russia’s terms.

Does Putin stand to benefit from portraying Trump this way? Absolutely.

Inside Putin’s Five-Hour Meeting with Trump Envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff

One of the interview’s most revealing moments came when Putin was questioned about the nearly five-hour meeting in Moscow with Trump envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.

“Yes, and I was alone,” Putin joked, before turning serious. He described the discussions as “meaningful, highly specific, and substantive.”

Putin acknowledged disagreements but stressed that the Americans brought a “truly new” proposal requiring detailed point-by-point analysis. He defended Trump’s complicated diplomatic juggling act, saying: “He sincerely tries to do this.”

For a leader who never misses an opportunity to slam Western diplomacy, Putin’s tone was unusually respectful—almost deferential.

Putin Attacks the West but Spares Trump. Why?

Across the interview, a clear pattern emerged.

Putin maintained hardline positions on NATO expansion, WTO violations, and the origins of the war in Ukraine, holding the West responsible for escalating the conflict. But when Trump’s name surfaced, the aggression dissipated.

Instead, Trump was depicted as a leader with “humanitarian motives” who “genuinely wants to end hostilities,” even if his broader views diverge from Moscow’s.

The contrast was striking—and intentional.

So, Is Putin Actually Aligning with Trump?

On policy, the answer is no. Russia has rejected most of Trump’s proposals, maintained its territorial demands, and intensified military operations, including strikes on Kyiv.

But diplomatically, rhetorically, and strategically, the answer is yes.

Putin is positioning Trump as the key to ending the conflict—a leader he will not publicly criticize, even while attacking US institutions. He is carefully separating Trump from Washington’s establishment, portraying the former as the only American capable of negotiating a settlement acceptable to Russia.

This is not friendship. It is geopolitical chess.

Putin is fighting the Western-led order while keeping the door open for a future Trump-led resolution. His message is clear: he opposes the system, not the man—and Trump may yet be the figure who brings the war to an end.