100 Days of Trump: Russia Emboldened, Ukraine Weakened in Ongoing War

Washington, D.C. – Approximately 100 days into Donald Trump’s presidency, his promise to end the Ukraine war in 24 hours remains unfulfilled. Instead, the geopolitical landscape has shifted dramatically: the U.S. has warmed relations with Russia, leaving Ukraine increasingly isolated and vulnerable as of April 21, 2025, according to reports and firsthand accounts.

Shifting Dynamics: U.S.-Russia Rapprochement

From Moscow’s perspective, Trump’s tenure has opened unexpected channels of dialogue with Washington. The Kremlin has praised “intensive” and “constructive” contacts, including mutual visits by emissaries, as reported in Al Jazeera. Russians like Alissa, a 20-year-old waitress, express hope for peace and the return of Western brands like McDonald’s, while Efim Semenikhine, a 48-year-old musician, told AFP, “There’s finally hope that this conflict will end.” A Levada Center poll indicates a “notable improvement” in Russians’ perception of the U.S., reflecting a thaw in relations.

Ukraine’s Struggles and Disappointment

In Kyiv, the mood is starkly different. Trump’s presidency has brought “disappointment, humiliation, and anxiety” over the future of U.S. support, with no new military aid negotiated after a brief suspension was lifted, as noted in The New York Times. Ukraine has lost strategic leverage, particularly control over parts of Russia’s Kursk region, now almost fully reclaimed by Moscow. Tymofii Mylovanov, president of the Kyiv School of Economics, told AFP, “Ukrainians still hear air raid sirens daily, see bombs, and witness deaths,” underscoring the unchanged battlefield reality despite a 30-hour Easter truce announced by Putin.

Trump’s Rhetoric and Policy Impact

Trump’s rhetoric has shifted notably, often echoing Russian narratives and criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. A heated Oval Office confrontation in February 2025, followed by Trump’s comments after a deadly Russian strike in Sumy in April that killed at least 35, highlighted this tension. “You don’t start a war with someone 20 times bigger than you,” Trump remarked, despite Russia’s role as the aggressor, as cited in BBC. While Trump has expressed frustration with Putin—threatening sanctions and urging Moscow to “move faster”—his tone remains more conciliatory than his predecessors, contrasting with his initial hardline promises.

Battlefield Stalemate and Humanitarian Toll

Despite fragile U.S.-Russia agreements on energy and the Black Sea, the war’s intensity persists. Ukraine faces increased aerial attacks, with Zelensky noting a rise in strikes, including one in Kryvyi Rih that killed 20, including nine children, and the Sumy attack on April 13. Moscow’s advances, though costly in human lives, have slowed for the fourth consecutive month, per AFP analysis of data from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Putin, accused of stalling for leverage, has rejected Trump’s proposed unconditional ceasefire, which Kyiv accepted, with Mylovanov noting that Putin has offered “not a single concession.”

European Support and Future Outlook

In Sumy, soldier Oleksandre, 22, told AFP his view of Trump remains “negative,” calling him a “smooth talker.” Local resident Anna Klychkina, 29, added, “Things have only gotten worse” since Trump’s inauguration, reflecting the city’s trauma. However, Mylovanov sees a glimmer of hope in the EU, suggesting that the U.S. pivot has forced Europe to adopt a “more realistic” stance and bolster support for Ukraine, potentially offsetting the decline in American backing.

Conclusion

Trump’s first 100 days have reshaped the Russia-Ukraine conflict, emboldening Moscow while weakening Kyiv’s position. With no resolution in sight and battlefield dynamics largely unchanged, Ukraine faces an uncertain future as U.S. priorities shift. The coming months will test Europe’s resolve to fill the gap, as the war’s toll on Ukrainian civilians continues to mount.

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