US President Donald Trump does not support Russia but views it as one of the main forces capable of counterbalancing China, former Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Olha Stefanishyna said in an interview with Vlasta Lazur for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
According to Stefanishyna, Trump believes that weakening Russia strengthens China, while closer relations between Washington and Moscow could loosen Russia’s ties with Beijing.
“For Trump, Russia is, in his worldview, the main force restraining China’s rise. He believes that a weak Russia strengthens China,” Stefanishyna explained.
At the same time, she said US attempts to establish a strategic dialogue with Russia at the institutional level had ended in “complete failure.” Despite Trump’s complimentary remarks about Moscow, Stefanishyna does not believe the US president is on Russia’s side.
In her view, Trump’s primary objective is to end the war rather than secure victory for either side or hold Russia accountable.
“He does not care whether it is called ‘victory’ or ‘accountability.’ What matters to him is stopping the war. That is why he believes he can find a middle ground in the negotiations, like a messiah,” the former ambassador said.
Stefanishyna also described Trump’s approach as transactional and noted that his position can change rapidly. According to her, agreements reached with the US administration must be implemented within two weeks, or they may no longer remain relevant.
Discussing Washington’s attitude toward Ukraine, she said the Ukrainian side had demonstrated over the past year that it could withstand military and political pressure. Ukraine survived the winter, stabilized the situation on the battlefield and acquired its own leverage over Russia.
According to Stefanishyna, Moscow’s repeated claims that it will inevitably capture the Donbas and that Ukraine will not survive another winter are now weakening Russia’s position in the eyes of US negotiators.
