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Steve Rosenberg, the BBC's Russia Editor, recently commented on the dramatic events in the Oval Office involving U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The heated exchange between the leaders has sparked reactions from around the world, but notably, there has been no comment from Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Rosenberg, Putin can afford to sit back and watch events unfold without needing to say anything.
The public spat between Trump and Zelensky was described by Trump as "going to be great television," and it seems Putin might have enjoyed the spectacle. Some Russian officials have commented on the events, with former president Dmitry Medvedev calling it a "slap down in the Oval Office" and urging the U.S. to stop military assistance to Ukraine. Foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova praised Trump and Vance for their "miracle of restraint" in not hitting Ukraine's president.
The incident highlights the contrasting dynamics between U.S.-Ukraine and U.S.-Russia relations. While U.S.-Ukraine relations are at risk of implosion, U.S.-Russia ties appear to be strengthening. Trump and Putin have spoken on the phone, pledged to work closely together, and there are talks of a possible summit. Lower-level U.S.-Russia talks to reset relations and discuss potential economic cooperation have already started, with Putin offering lucrative joint projects involving rare earth minerals and aluminum production.
The implications of a breakdown in relations between Ukraine and the U.S. are potentially very serious for Kyiv but very positive for Moscow. If the flow of American weapons to Ukraine were to stop, it would be much harder for Ukrainians to defend themselves against Russian forces. Moscow has long believed that the war in Ukraine has been going Russia's way, and the shouting match in the Oval Office will have cemented that view.
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