Trump’s Affection for Russia Is No Mystery
The best explanation is the least complicated one.
For years, a significant portion of the Republican Party, including several officials who were once doubtful of Donald Trump, have accepted that the investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election were merely a manifestation of Trump Derangement Syndrome and media hysteria. This strange alliance between Trump and Vladimir Putin persists, complicating American foreign policy.
On Friday, Trump announced another call with Putin, praising the Russian leader as a trusted friend. He announced a substantial increase in diesel fuel imports from Russia, stating, "We don’t need their fuel, we don’t need their energy, we don’t need their oil and gas. We don’t need anything that they have." Trump’s comments, however, do not align with his typical mercantilist approach to trade, where exports are profit and imports are losses.
The transaction with Russia appears to be more of a "gift" from Putin, a description that contradicts the conventional understanding of trade. Trump has praised Putin's adversary, Volodymyr Zelensky, for making the war worse and suggested Zelensky find a new leader. The reasons behind Trump's unwavering loyalty to Putin are unclear, but theories include Putin's skill in flattery, Trump's admiration of dictators, and Trump's amoral approach to transactions.
Some suggest that Russian manipulation and bribery have played a role in Trump's attachment to Putin, with Russia attempting to bribe foreign officials, including American ones, to secure resources and influence.
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