Moscow: In an unexpected and noteworthy diplomatic signal, former Russian President and current Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, has described former U.S. President Donald Trump as an “effective leader” who is genuinely interested in achieving peace. The remarks, made in an interview with Reuters, stand out at a time when relations between Moscow and Washington remain deeply strained due to the prolonged war in Ukraine and broader geopolitical tensions.
Medvedev said Trump’s leadership style, often criticized by his opponents as unconventional and confrontational, should instead be viewed as decisive and goal-oriented. According to Medvedev, Trump has shown a clear willingness to challenge entrenched political thinking in the United States and engage directly on issues of war and peace. He added that Trump appears keen to be remembered as a leader who pursued peace rather than prolonged conflict, a quality the Russian leadership claims to recognize and respect.
The comments come as fresh diplomatic efforts are underway to explore a negotiated end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has entered its fourth year. New rounds of talks involving representatives from Russia, the United States and Ukraine are expected in the coming days, with international mediators hoping to narrow differences on ceasefire terms, security guarantees and territorial disputes. Trump, who has repeatedly said he could help end the war through direct negotiations, has positioned himself as a potential deal-maker on the global stage.
However, Medvedev’s praise was not without caveats. He questioned recent claims attributed to Trump regarding the movement of U.S. nuclear submarines closer to Russian waters, saying Moscow had seen no evidence to support such assertions. The remark reflects Russia’s continued sensitivity to military signaling by NATO and the United States, even as it expresses openness to diplomatic engagement.
Addressing long-standing allegations in Western political discourse that Trump is overly sympathetic to Russia, Medvedev firmly dismissed such narratives. He said Moscow respects the outcome of U.S. elections and does not subscribe to conspiracy theories portraying Trump as acting on Russia’s behalf. According to him, such claims distract from the more substantive issue of whether global powers can find common ground to prevent further escalation.
At the same time, Medvedev reiterated Russia’s hard-line position on the Ukraine war, stating that Moscow believes it will ultimately achieve its strategic objectives. Yet, he emphasized that the broader priority should be to prevent future conflicts once the current war ends, hinting at a desire for a post-war security framework that reduces the risk of renewed hostilities.
Medvedev’s remarks are being closely watched by diplomats and analysts, as they suggest a nuanced shift in Russia’s public messaging towards U.S. leadership. While fundamental disagreements remain, the unusually positive tone towards Trump may indicate that Moscow sees potential room for engagement with leaders it perceives as pragmatic and willing to negotiate outside traditional diplomatic playbooks.
In a global environment marked by war fatigue, economic pressures and growing geopolitical uncertainty, such statements underline the complex interplay between rhetoric, diplomacy and strategic interests. Whether this rare praise translates into meaningful progress at the negotiating table remains to be seen, but it has undeniably added a new layer to the evolving Russia–U.S. narrative.