Russian President Vladimir Putin surprised observers by repeatedly describing former US President Donald Trump as “sincere” in his exclusive interview with the India Today Group, even as he launched some of his sharpest attacks on the West and the American political establishment. The conversation highlighted a striking diplomatic contrast: Putin remains uncompromising toward the Western system but is deliberately refraining from antagonising Trump personally.
Putin’s tone represented a geopolitical balancing act. Even while rejecting multiple US peace proposals and escalating military pressure in Ukraine, he spoke of Trump as a leader who “genuinely” wants to end the war — placing blame instead on Trump’s advisers and the broader Washington establishment. Throughout the interview, Putin separated Trump from the US system, portraying him as well-intentioned but constrained by political and economic forces around him.
Asked about India–Russia defence cooperation and Trump’s accusations that India was “funding Russia’s war” by buying oil, Putin dismissed the charge without criticising Trump himself. He pointed out that the United States continues to import nuclear fuel from Russia, questioning why India should be judged for purchasing energy supplies. Putin repeatedly suggested that controversial US policies were driven not by Trump, but by advisers who believe tariffs and aggressive trade measures benefit America.
The interview also revealed a particularly telling episode: Putin confirmed that he spent nearly five hours in Moscow meeting Trump’s envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. He described the discussions as “meaningful and highly specific”, noting that the American side brought “a truly new proposal” that required a point-by-point evaluation. His account suggested respect for Trump’s diplomatic emissaries and an openness to engagement, even as major disagreements remained unresolved.
Putin’s positive rhetoric toward Trump contrasted sharply with his accusations against the West. He criticised NATO expansion, alleged WTO violations and blamed Western governments for prolonging the war. Yet whenever Trump’s name surfaced, Putin softened his language, calling the former US president motivated by “humanitarian reasons” and someone who “sincerely tries to minimise losses”.
Does this mean Putin is genuinely making peace with Trump? In terms of policy, not yet — Moscow has rejected most Trump-linked proposals and continues its hardline military strategy. But in diplomatic signalling, the message is unmistakable. Putin is positioning himself as open to reconciliation with Trump the individual while framing the West — not Trump — as the principal adversary. He is fighting Western hegemony while keeping the door open for the one US leader he thinks may sign the final peace agreement.
It is not friendship. It is a strategic calculation. Putin is confronting the Western system while carefully preserving space for cooperation with Trump.
