Russia Affirms Readiness to Work with Trump, but Stays Firm on Unchanged Goals for Ukraine War

When Russia states that it will “work with Trump,” but that their goals for the war in Ukraine “remain unchanged, and will be achieved,” it underscores the complex and often contradictory nature of international diplomacy, especially in the context of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

This statement reflects Russia’s persistence in its broader objectives regarding Ukraine—such as territorial expansion and the undermining of Ukraine’s sovereignty—while also signaling a potential shift in how they engage with the United States, depending on the outcome of future U.S. elections and foreign policy directions.

It’s also an indication that, regardless of who occupies the White House, Russia’s fundamental goals in Ukraine have remained consistent: securing control over Ukrainian territory, weakening NATO’s influence in the region, and reasserting Russian power on the global stage.

Since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has made it clear that its objectives are to prevent Ukraine from moving closer to the West, particularly in terms of NATO membership, and to regain control over regions such as Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014.

Moscow has also sought to destabilize Ukraine’s government, weaken its economy, and diminish its ability to maintain a strong defense against Russian aggression. The idea that Russia’s goals “remain unchanged” suggests that, regardless of leadership in Washington, the Kremlin is not willing to compromise on its strategic ambitions, and it sees the conflict in Ukraine as an existential struggle that aligns with its long-term vision of reasserting influence in the post-Soviet space.

Russia’s mention of “working with Trump” could be interpreted in a few ways. First, it may reflect Moscow’s hope that a potential second Trump administration would take a less confrontational stance toward Russia than the Biden administration, which has led efforts in providing substantial military and economic support to Ukraine.

Under Trump, the U.S. took a more transactional approach to foreign policy, and his skepticism about NATO and his past comments praising Russian President Vladimir Putin raised concerns in the West about how a second Trump term might affect U.S.-Russia relations. In this context, Russia may see the possibility of Trump’s return as an opportunity to foster an environment in which U.S. support for Ukraine could be weakened or diluted.

At the same time, Russia’s message that its goals will “be achieved” regardless of who occupies the U.S. presidency reflects the Kremlin’s firm belief in the inevitability of its victory in Ukraine—at least in terms of its territorial and geopolitical ambitions.

This rhetoric suggests that Russia is not deterred by Western opposition or military aid to Ukraine, and it portrays the war as something that will ultimately result in the reconfiguration of Ukraine’s political and territorial landscape in favor of Russia.

It also signals that Moscow remains committed to its objectives in the region, and it will adapt its strategies based on the geopolitical context, whether through military escalation, diplomatic efforts, or the exploitation of divisions within Western alliances.

Ultimately, while Russia may express a willingness to “work with Trump,” its fundamental stance on Ukraine appears unchanged: it sees the war as a critical and strategic endeavor that will reshape not only Ukraine’s future but also the broader balance of power in Europe and beyond.

Even if U.S. policies shift with a change in leadership, Russia’s objectives in Ukraine are likely to remain fixed, driven by its vision of restoring influence and control in the post-Soviet space. The ongoing conflict, therefore, may continue to be shaped by a mix of military escalation, political maneuvering, and diplomatic efforts, with the outcome still uncertain as the war drags on.