How Trump fears and trusts Putin too much

President Donald Trump doesn’t simply wish to negotiate a peaceful end to Russia’s war on Ukraine. He also wants to forge a new relationship with Russia built around increased, mutually beneficial cooperation. Trump frequently references his desire to strike new investment, arms control, and other accords with Moscow.

Two perceptions underpin this effort. First, the president’s belief that Russia poses a major threat to the United States should be addressed by deferential diplomacy. Second, Trump’s view that he can trust Russian President Vladimir Putin to pursue a range of mutually beneficial compromises honestly.