NBC News: Trump shifts US foreign policy, aligns with Russia over Ukraine

US President Donald Trump has caused a dramatic shift in American foreign policy, aligning the United States more closely with Russia while distancing the country from its previous strong support for Ukraine. 

Trump has controversially stated that Ukraine, not Russia, initiated the war, and has described Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a dictator, Caliber.Az reports, citing NBC News.

At the same time, his administration has rolled back a number of key policies aimed at countering Moscow.

In a little over a month since his return to office, Trump has signalled a major realignment of U.S. foreign policy, effectively distancing the U.S. from its longstanding ally Kyiv and undermining the pro-Ukrainian stance taken by former President Joe Biden. This pivot has drawn widespread international attention, unsettling U.S. allies in Europe and energising conservative populists who support a break from Zelenskyy’s government.

The shift in policy was particularly evident on February 28, during a tense Oval Office meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy. The two leaders clashed publicly, raising questions about the future of U.S. support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing Russian invasion, which has now stretched over three years.

In recent weeks, U.S. officials have made a series of policy changes that suggest a more conciliatory approach to Moscow. Notably, the White House announced a suspension of military aid to Ukraine while conducting a policy review. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth instructed U.S. Cyber Command to halt offensive cyber operations against Russia, and Attorney General Pam Bondi dismantled efforts to seize assets from Russian oligarchs.

Trump’s stance represents a striking departure from decades of bipartisan U.S. policy towards Russia, a period characterised by strong opposition to Moscow, particularly in the post-Cold War era. He has long advocated for improving relations with Russia, calling it in the U.S. national interest to "get along" with Moscow and casting doubt on the value of NATO and the European Union.

Trump's previous presidency was overshadowed by investigations into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections, but he has repeatedly dismissed these concerns as a "Russia hoax."

Despite his desire to reset relations with Russia, Trump has faced significant criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans, who accuse him of undermining Ukraine's sovereignty. Some GOP lawmakers have even suggested that Zelenskyy should resign. Nevertheless, Trump has defended his position, claiming that under his leadership, Ukraine did not lose any territory to Russia.

While Trump is not the first U.S. president to pursue a less confrontational approach with Russia—Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton’s "reset" efforts failed after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014—his latest moves mark a sharp departure from U.S. foreign policy norms. This shift is likely to have long-lasting effects on the United States’ relationships with both Russia and Ukraine, as well as its global standing.

The feud between Trump and Zelenskyy highlights the growing partisan divide in America over the conflict in Ukraine. Recent polling indicates that while a majority of Democrats continue to support Ukraine, Republican backing has waned. Trump's pivot may reflect a larger shift in public opinion within the U.S., where debates over the country's foreign policy priorities are intensifying.

By Aghakazim Guliyev