Russian state media is openly celebrating what it portrays as a growing ideological alignment between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a new report by the BBC’s Russia correspondent, Steve Rosenberg.
Pro-Kremlin newspapers have framed Trump as a catalyst for reshaping the global order in a way more favorable to Moscow, contrasting him sharply with European leaders, whom they depict as hostile and outdated.
In an article published Monday, the major Russian tabloid Komsomolskaya Pravda claimed that the United States no longer sees Russia as a primary threat. Instead, the paper argued, Washington under Trump views Europe as the greater danger, describing it as “militaristic.”
“The American leader’s philosophy is closer to the values of Russia’s president, not the politicians of the old world,” the newspaper wrote.
The paper went on to portray Trump as viewing Russia not as an adversary but as a potential partner, suggesting he understands that direct confrontation between two nuclear powers would lead to catastrophe. Europe, by contrast, was described as a “liberal stronghold” that Trump allegedly seeks to weaken in pursuit of his “Make America Great Again” agenda.
Rosenberg noted that Russian media coverage adopts a notably warm tone toward Trump, referring to him simply as “Donald,” while consistently using derogatory language to describe Ukraine’s leadership. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is frequently labeled “the illegitimate Ukrainian president,” and European leaders are dismissed as “Russophobic politicians of the old world.”
Alongside geopolitical messaging, Russian outlets are also devoting significant attention to the country’s worsening economic situation, which has been exacerbated by the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The Moscow-based newspaper Moskovskij Komsomolets reported that more than 850,000 residents of Moscow and the surrounding region are currently barred from traveling abroad due to outstanding personal debts. These include unpaid fines, overdue loans, and unpaid alimony. Under Russian law, citizens with unresolved debts can be prohibited from leaving the country.
The coverage comes days after Trump sparked controversy during a televised meeting with President Zelensky, in which he stated that “Russia wants Ukraine to succeed.” Zelensky appeared visibly taken aback by the remark.
In a subsequent interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier on Special Report, Zelensky contradicted Trump’s claim, expressing deep skepticism of Russian intentions.
“I don’t trust Putin,” Zelensky said. “He doesn’t want success for Ukraine. He can say such words to President Trump, but it’s not true.”
Zelensky added that Putin’s goal is to avoid increased pressure from the United States, particularly in the form of stronger sanctions.
Although Trump later described his meeting with Zelensky as “terrific,” there were no indications that it produced any tangible progress toward ending the war.