Try GOLD - Free

Putin fan Trump shifts even further into Russian sphere

The Independent

|

March 04, 2025

Vengeful US president dislikes Volodymyr Zelensky but there’s a bigger strategic game being played, says Sam Kiley

- Sam Kiley

Putin fan Trump shifts even further into Russian sphere

Puce with rage, he leaned over and wagged his finger as he told the leader of a nation under assault from Russia: You’re playing cards, you’re gambling with the lives of millions of people.” But when Donald Trump got furious with Volodymyr Zelensky, it wasn’t just business, it was personal.

As in all mafia tales, the relationship between the two leaders has been poisoned by business – specifically the business of Russia. But it would be dangerous to believe Trump’s support for Russia is just fuelled by his animus towards Zelensky. It’s much worse than that.

Trump likes Putin, with whom he says he shared the experience of the “scam” of allegations that Russia interfered in his 2016 election as president. And Trump hates Zelensky for not helping him campaign against Joe Biden when he lost his second term run.

“Let me tell ya, Putin went through a hell of a lot with me – we went through a phoney witch hunt when they used him and Russia, Russia, Russia, Russia,” Trump ranted, as he got increasingly incoherent during the White House attack on Zelensky he launched with JD Vance, vice-president, last week.

“That was a phoney Hunter Biden, Joe Biden scam. Hillary Clinton, shifty Adam Schiff, it was a Democrat scam. And [Putin] had to go through that. And he did go through it. We didn’t end up in a war. And he went through it. He was accused of all that stuff. He had nothing to do with it. It came out of Hunter Biden’s bathroom. It came out of Hunter Biden’s bedroom. It was disgusting.”

Translated – Trump says he goes way back with Putin to the days when the Kremlin was accused of getting their man, him, into the White House in 2016.

MORE STORIES FROM The Independent

The Independent

The Independent

Trump deserves praise for Gaza - if he sees it through

Go to Kosovo today, and among men in their mid-twenties you will find a disproportionate number of them named Tonibler.

time to read

4 mins

October 12, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

Where should I go during Cambodia backpacker trip?

Q Friends have come back from Cambodia raving about the place as a backpacker destination. In your opinion, what highlights should I absolutely not miss?

time to read

1 mins

October 12, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

A decade of pain before endometriosis is diagnosed

At just 12 years old, a terrified Zaynah Ahmed lost so much blood during her period that she was left in a life-threatening condition and needed an urgent blood transfusion.

time to read

3 mins

October 12, 2025

The Independent

BREAK THE SILENCE

Olivia Petter was made to feel she should ignore an incident with a stranger in a dressing room, but after bureaucratic hurdles and a police investigation, she finally felt vindicated

time to read

7 mins

October 12, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

Hull KR thrash champions Wigan for Grand Final win

Hull KR completed an historic treble after battering defending champions Wigan 24-6 in a pulsating Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford.

time to read

2 mins

October 12, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

Blair met Epstein while he was PM, documents reveal

Sir Tony Blair met with Jeffrey Epstein in Downing Street while he was prime minister, after lobbying from Peter Mandelson, documents have revealed.

time to read

2 mins

October 12, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

Nobel Peace Prize winner dedicates award to Trump

Venezuelan opposition leader and the newly awarded Nobel Peace Prize winner has dedicated her win to Donald Trump for his “decisive support” in her country’s fight for democracy.

time to read

2 mins

October 12, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

Fury as Taliban bars women from press event in India

The Taliban reportedly barred women journalists from attending a press event of visiting Afghan foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in India, drawing anger from a wide section of Indian reporters, activists, and politicians.

time to read

4 mins

October 12, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

'Here is ur diagnosis': Is this Labour's vision for the NHS?

Sitting in the middle of an office was not how I had ever envisaged being told that I have a long-term health condition, but that’s where I was when I received the following message - original typos included:

time to read

3 mins

October 12, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

Starmer 'planning to blame Farage' for Budget tax hikes

Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly gearing up to blame Nigel Farage and Brexit for Britain’s expected downturn in productivity at the Budget, as part of a new attack on the Reform UK leader.

time to read

2 mins

October 12, 2025

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size