Why Does U.S. Policy Seem So Cozy With Russia — Even During the Ukraine War?

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Why Does U.S. Policy Sound So Much Like Moscow Lately?

If you’ve been scratching your head lately, wondering why U.S. foreign policy seems oddly soft on Russia — you’re not imagining things. The Ukraine war is still grinding on. Lives are still being lost. And yet, from Washington, the volume has been turned way down. Instead of the defiant tone that once defined America’s stance on Russian aggression, we’re now hearing something that sounds suspiciously like polite diplomacy — maybe even appeasement.

So... what’s really going on?

The Ukraine War: Still Real, Still Brutal

Let’s not lose sight of the facts. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022 and has since turned cities to rubble, triggered a refugee crisis across Europe, and taken tens of thousands of lives. Ukraine continues to defend itself against a larger and better-equipped invader, fueled in large part by Western aid and moral support — or at least it used to be.

Now, the U.S. tone has shifted. Where once there were strong pledges of support and hardline denunciations of the Kremlin, there’s now more talk of “negotiated outcomes” and less interest in giving Ukraine everything it says it needs to win. Incredibly, some diplomatic overtures have reportedly been made without Ukraine at the table at all. Imagine being invaded, and then finding out the world’s superpowers are discussing how to end your war without asking you.

It’s not just tone — it’s leverage. And by softening toward Moscow, Washington may be undermining the very ally it once vowed to protect.

Economic Choices That Don’t Add Up

Then there are the trade moves that make even less sense. In a recent round of tariff policy, the U.S. targeted multiple countries — including China — but curiously left Russia off the list. The official rationale? Sanctions already in place make additional tariffs “unnecessary.”

But critics are raising eyebrows. If economic pressure is meant to deter bad behavior, what kind of signal does it send when Russia — the country that launched a brutal, unprovoked war — is spared? To many, it smells less like strategy and more like selective enforcement. And that kind of inconsistency doesn’t go unnoticed by allies, adversaries, or American voters.

The UN Shuffle: From Outrage to Ambivalence

The U.N., long a stage for American condemnation of authoritarian regimes, saw a new twist in March when the U.S. abstained from a resolution condemning Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Not voted against — just silently stepped back.

The abstention stunned longtime watchers of U.S. foreign policy. Just a year ago, the White House was leading the charge to rally international condemnation of Moscow. What changed? What political calculation led to this awkward neutrality, especially when so many allies expected — and needed — American leadership?

Allies Are Nervous — And They Should Be

European partners are watching this shift with growing concern. For countries like Poland, the Baltics, and even Germany, a weakening U.S. position could translate to increased vulnerability. If Russia sees a path to negotiation that excludes consequences, why stop at Ukraine?

Moreover, softening on Russia sends a broader message: that might makes right, and that Western democracies are more interested in avoiding discomfort than defending their principles. It’s a message other authoritarian leaders — in Beijing, Tehran, or Pyongyang — are sure to hear loud and clear.

At Home: A Crisis of Credibility

Domestically, questions are mounting. Some lawmakers are openly critical of the administration’s tepid posture. Others are raising the specter of foreign influence — or worse, ideological convergence — shaping American policy in ways that betray its values. And average Americans? Many are simply confused. They remember the headlines, the promises, the outrage. They want to know: when did defending democracy become optional?

The U.S. can’t afford to forget what’s at stake. The war in Ukraine isn’t just a regional conflict. It’s a test of whether the post-WWII global order — built on mutual defense, democratic values, and the rule of law — still has a pulse. By aligning, even subtly, with Moscow’s interests, the U.S. risks losing the moral authority it once claimed as a superpower.

Because if Washington starts sounding like the Kremlin, who’s left to stand up to it?

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