Putin Ally Says Trump ‘In No Way Our Friend’

Russian TV host Vladimir Solovyov, a prominent ally of Vladimir Putin, said that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is “in no way” a friend of Russia.

Trump was elected the 47th president of the United States this week, defeating his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.

“We won’t bargain about our constitutional territories, Solovyov said on his program Evening with Vladimir Solovyov. “But [we] can discuss with Trump whether we’re going to take Berlin. ‘OK, we’re not going to take Berlin today,’ figuratively speaking. I mean, it’s a question of the system of relations.

“But Trump will demand something different. He has repeatedly said that the most important thing is that there should be no alliance between Russia and China. And he needs to crash the oil price so that it badly reflects on Russians. In no way is he our friend or relative.”

Newsweek reached out to the Kremlin and the Trump campaign via email for comment.

Despite global isolation due to its invasion of Ukraine, Russia has found China an economic lifeline and a geopolitical ally, particularly in their shared goal of countering U.S. influence.

Russia’s economic dependence on China has grown, as evidenced by their surging trade, especially in discounted crude oil exports. For China, supporting Russia serves its interests by offering access to cheaper energy and a partner in challenging U.S. hegemony.

However, Beijing remains cautious, balancing this partnership with its crucial economic ties to the West. While Putin and Xi emphasize their “no-limits” partnership, their cooperation is more of a pragmatic alliance of convenience than a formal commitment to mutual defense.

A second Trump presidency could escalate tensions with China and Russia, though his approach may include pragmatic deals.

With China, Trump’s past trade conflicts and stance on Taiwan signal possible intensified strains, though Beijing might attempt to appeal to his pragmatism.

Experts suggest China could offer symbolic trade concessions while expecting U.S. restraint on Taiwan. In Russia, Trump’s praise for Putin and his promise to swiftly end the Ukraine war raise concerns about reduced support for Kyiv, potentially aligning more with Russian interests.

Putin congratulated Trump on his election victory, saying he was ready to speak with the president-elect. He described Trump as a “brave man” for how he conducted himself after his attempted assassination in July.

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