Month: December 2025

Trump made NS Strategy more favorable to Russia: background, assessments, predictions
#National  #Security  #Strategy
The Trump administration’s National Security Strategy (NSS) moved towards a stance more favorable to Russia by shifting from naming Russia as an explicit “threat” to a potential partner for “strategic stability,” while simultaneously criticizing traditional European allies.
Background
Previous U.S. administrations (both the first Trump and Biden administrations) had consistently framed Russia’s actions as a primary foreign policy concern and an “acute threat” actively engaged in “subversion and aggression”. By contrast, the new “America First” strategy, released in December 2025, de-emphasized major power competition and adopted a more conciliatory tone toward Russia, focusing on non-interventionism and American “preeminence” in the Western Hemisphere. The document also notably criticized European nations, accusing them of having “unrealistic expectations for the war” in Ukraine and subverting democratic processes, an alignment of rhetoric that Moscow welcomed.
Assessments
Foreign policy experts and European officials largely agree that the changes represent a significant departure from past U.S. foreign policy and are beneficial to Russia’s strategic goals.
Kremlin Reception: Russian officials, including Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, explicitly praised the NSS, stating that its “adjustments… are largely consistent with our vision”. This marks the first time Moscow has so enthusiastically welcomed a U.S. security document.
Softened Language: The strategy avoids condemning Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and instead positions the U.S. as a potential neutral arbiter between Russia and Europe to “reestablish strategic stability”.
European Concerns: European allies reacted with alarm, viewing the strategy as an attempt to divide the continent and weaken the transatlantic alliance. Critics argue the document ignores the real threat Russia poses not just to Europe but to U.S. global interests.
Contradiction in Policy: Some experts noted a disconnect between the NSS’s “America First” rhetoric and actual policy actions, such as the Trump administration’s separate efforts to increase funding for the European Deterrence Initiative and provide arms to Ukraine. However, the overall message of the NSS was seen as a win for Russia’s narrative.
Predictions
Weakened Alliances: Analysts predict that the strategy could lead to a fractured NATO and a weakened EU, as the U.S. shifts focus away from collective security in Europe.
Policy Incoherence: The approach is seen as potentially creating strategic “holes” in U.S. foreign policy, making it harder to address adversarial influence in critical regions like Africa and the Middle East where Russia and China remain active.
Increased Instability: By not explicitly designating Russia as a primary threat, the strategy may embolden Russian aggression and create more opportunities for Moscow to “probe NATO’s weakest seams,” particularly along the borders with Ukraine and Poland.
Focus on Bilateralism: The long-term effect is likely a U.S. foreign policy that prioritizes bilateral relations and transactional outcomes over multilateral institutions and shared democratic values, which aligns with Russia’s goal of challenging the post-Cold War liberal order.

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Dec 10, 2025

#Ukraine  #War  #Zelenskyy
Ukraine War: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said he is ready for elections within 90 days if the U.S. and allies can ensure security.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated he is ready to hold elections within 60 to 90 days if the United States and European allies can guarantee the security necessary for the vote.
Zelenskyy’s comments came in response to pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested Ukraine was using the war as an excuse to avoid elections and questioned its democratic status. Zelenskyy has highlighted several conditions and requirements for a wartime election:
Security Guarantees: The primary condition is that the U.S. and partners provide robust security guarantees to ensure the safety of the polling process during ongoing Russian missile attacks.
Legislative Changes: Under Ukraine’s current law, elections cannot be held during martial law. Zelenskyy has asked members of Ukraine’s parliament (Verkhovna Rada) to draft the necessary legislative changes to the election law to make a vote possible.
Logistical Considerations: Previous arguments against wartime elections have included the challenge of voting for millions of citizens who are internally displaced or living abroad, as well as for soldiers at the front lines, and the inability to vote in Russian-occupied territories.
Zelenskyy’s five-year term expired in May 2024, but his presidency remains legitimate under the current martial law. Public opinion in Ukraine has generally opposed holding elections until after the war ends.
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aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/1…
– Google Search  google.com/search?q=Ukraine+…

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Dec 10, 2025