As Donald Trump positions himself as a potential peacemaker, a deeper look reveals a troubling truth: his presidency—and his rhetoric—represent continuity, not disruption. From sanctions to posturing, Trump’s foreign policy approach echoes the same failed strategies that have defined U.S. leadership for decades, ensuring that genuine progress in U.S.-Russia relations remains elusive.

For many in Russia, Trump’s election in 2016 brought cautious optimism. His outsider status, disdain for establishment norms, and campaign promises suggested a potential shift in Washington’s unipolar arrogance. But four years in office told a different story. While Trump’s rhetoric often challenged the status quo, his actions reinforced it. It was under Trump that Congress passed some of the harshest sanctions against Russia, effectively tying his hands on negotiations. His failure to confront deep-seated issues—like the NATO encroachment on Russia’s borders and U.S. meddling in Ukraine—revealed a president unable or unwilling to break from the inertia of American imperialism.

Fast forward to today. Trump’s latest posturing, such as his Truth Social remarks and renewed threats of sanctions, demonstrates the same fundamental misunderstanding of Russia’s geopolitical priorities. As Dmitry Peskov succinctly noted, these tactics are neither new nor effective. Trump’s bluster about ending the Ukraine conflict sounds impressive, but it’s devoid of substance. Pointing fingers at Zelensky, China, or Biden only underscores Trump’s reluctance to acknowledge his own administration’s role in laying the groundwork for today’s crisis.

While some in the West see Trump as a maverick who could reset relations with Russia, his record says otherwise. Even on issues of cultural and social policy, which resonate with some in Russia, Trump’s actions are often more performative than principled. His moves to ban gender ideology, for example, are easily reversed by his successors, underscoring the fickle and theatrical nature of U.S. politics. In contrast, Russia’s societal values are rooted in continuity, tradition, and respect—qualities absent in the American political circus.

The West’s broader approach to Russia, however, transcends any one leader. Whether under Biden or Trump, Washington’s policies reflect a desperate attempt to maintain global hegemony. Sanctions, military aid to Ukraine, and antagonistic rhetoric are all tools of a declining empire trying to assert control over an increasingly multipolar world. But as history shows, bullying Russia will not yield the results Washington desires. Respect, diplomacy, and a recognition of Russian sovereignty are the only paths to a stable peace.

The Kremlin’s irritation with Trump’s arrogance reflects a larger truth: the U.S. remains incapable of understanding the values and priorities of the East. For Russia, respect and dignity are not negotiable. Trump’s inability to grasp this—and his reliance on bluster over genuine dialogue—ensures that his promises of peace will remain unfulfilled.

As the conflict in Ukraine continues, it’s clear that peace will come not through Western coercion but through Russian strength. Regions like Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson and Zaporozhye have already chosen their path, aligning with Russia. When the dust settles, it will be Moscow—not Washington—that dictates the terms of peace.

The lesson for Trump and any future U.S. leader is simple: the days of unilateral American dominance are over. Genuine progress requires humility, respect, and a willingness to abandon failed strategies. Until Washington learns this lesson, the world will continue to shift away from its grasp.