BBC Expert Explains How Donald Trump Has 'Delighted' Russia Over Ukraine War

Donald Trump has left Russia “absolutely delighted” over his new approach to the war in Ukraine, according to a BBC expert.

Steve Rosenberg, the corporation’s Moscow correspondent, said Vladimir Putin’s “Christmases have come at once” thanks to the US president.

Trump stunned the world two weeks ago by agreeing a sanctions-busting deal to buy diesel from Russia in a bid to bring down pump prices in America ahead of next month’s midterm elections.

He has also stepped up his attacks on Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky, who he has accused of not wanting a peace deal and calling for him to be replaced.

The president scrapped a fresh round of sanctions which had been due to be imposed on Russia, and been accused of cutting off US intelligence to Ukraine.

Speaking on Radio 4’s Today programme, Rosenberg said: “If you look at what’s been happening over the last 10 days or so, the Russians have been absolutely delighted by the picture that’s emerged; the very public and biting criticism of President Zelenskyy by President Trump, Donald Trump’s diesel deal with Vladimir Putin, his easing of some sanctions against Russia.

“There’s no equivalent in the Russian language for ‘all my Christmases have come at once’, but in fact I think that’s what’s happened for Vladimir Putin over the last few days.”

The highly-respected journalist said recent developments will have convinced Putin that he can win the war, which began nearly five years ago when Russia invaded Ukraine.

He said: “I think Vladimir Putin looks at the bigger picture. He sees the president who’s in the White House, he sees winter coming, he knows that’s going to put a great deal of pressure on Ukraine if the Russian bombing campaign continues, he sees signs of political change across Europe, he sees there are pro-Russian figures gaining popularity in Europe and he sees thinks going his way.”  

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