Russian state TV hails Trump as ‘best friend’ and claims Ukraine could be defeated

 

Recent coverage on Russian state television has painted a strikingly favorable picture of former President Donald Trump, calling him their “best friend” and suggesting that his policies are aligned with Russian interests. Guests on the program predicted that Ukraine could face defeat in the coming year, highlighting a sharp shift in how Moscow perceives U.S. leadership.

On the Russian TV show 60 Minutes, commentators claimed that Trump’s approach to foreign policy seems “inspired by Russia.” Yury Afonin, a member of Russia’s State Duma, described January 20, 2025 the day Trump entered office as a landmark date. He argued that America’s priorities had shifted under Trump, citing a National Security Strategy that, in his view, criticizes Europe while adopting a more “reasonable” stance toward Russia and China.

Afonin further stated, “Global and European politics will change. The main hope is in our army and in our people, that we can defeat the Nazi plague in 2026,” underscoring Russia’s ongoing framing of the Ukraine conflict.

Other analysts echoed the sentiment. Dmitry Novikov, an associate professor at the School of International Affairs, said, “He respects Vladimir Putin for a good reason. All this normalization is tied to him being our best friend. The same goes for the process surrounding Ukraine.”

At the same time, the program reported that U.S. economic aid to Ukraine has been “slashed,” fueling concerns about the level of support Ukraine can expect from Washington.

This narrative comes amid ongoing U.S.-Ukraine diplomacy. Recently, Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Florida to discuss a 20-point peace plan. Zelensky told reporters that the plan is “90% ready,” but Trump indicated he would review and approve it before offering support, telling Politico, “He doesn’t have anything until I approve it. So, we’ll see what he’s got.”

The coverage on Russian state TV highlights how Moscow views Trump’s policies as favorable to its strategic goals, while also raising questions about the U.S.’s evolving role in the Ukraine conflict.