Donald Trump’s Impact on America’s Global Role
On the third anniversary of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. found itself unwilling to directly condemn the Kremlin’s aggression. Instead, it formed new voting alliances at the United Nations, including with longtime adversaries like Russia and North Korea.
The real drama at UN headquarters highlighted a widening rift between the U.S. and its European allies, overshadowing the more harmonious scene in the White House, where Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron exchanged pleasantries and mutual admiration.
This wasn’t the only contradiction on a day filled with diplomatic tensions across Kyiv, Moscow, London, Washington, and New York, as global powers navigate the shifting landscape created by Trump’s policies.
Say what you will about the U.S. president — his persistent desire for one-on-one summits with Russian President Vladimir Putin has sparked a flurry of crisis diplomacy aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, a conflict that had been at an impasse for years.
But Trump’s dramatic pivot toward Putin and away from Ukraine has upset long-standing alliances and ignited a race among both allies and adversaries to shape the peace deal he hopes to broker with Russia.
Europe Pressures Russia, While the U.S. Pressures Ukraine
On the invasion’s anniversary, world leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, traveled to Kyiv to stand in solidarity with President Volodymyr Zelensky. This came despite Trump’s recent criticism of Zelensky and his derogatory comments about Trudeau, calling him the “Governor” of the 51st state.
Meanwhile, in London, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged the G7 to take bolder steps to harm Russia, announcing new sanctions. But Trump’s stance remains clear: he wants Russia reinstated in the club of wealthy nations.
In Moscow, Putin criticized European leaders for being too closely aligned with Ukraine to mediate peace, offering praise that Trump relishes — calling him free from the “shackles” of Western influence.
Beneath the diplomatic theatrics lies a common concern: World leaders know Trump is desperate for a “deal” to boost his reputation, and they fear that in his quest for domestic adulation and a potential Nobel Peace Prize, he’s not focused on the finer details of the agreement.
“I mean, that’s what I do. I do deals. My whole life is deals. That’s all I know, is deals. And I know when somebody wants to make it and when somebody doesn’t,” Trump remarked during a press conference with Macron.
Trump’s advisers have repeatedly emphasized his deal-making prowess. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz even declared on Fox Business, “He’s the dealmaker in chief. He’s the commander in chief. And it’s only because of his strength that we’re even in this position.”
While there is a valid argument that Trump’s unorthodox approach offers the possibility of ending a devastating war — one that has claimed countless lives on both sides — there’s no denying that this is far more complicated than a typical business negotiation.
Peacemaking, Not a Business Deal
The stakes in peacemaking are different. Human lives, deep-rooted historical grievances, and complex geopolitical calculations are all on the line. This isn’t like the real estate deals Trump brokered for casinos, golf courses, and skyscrapers.
The European concern was further amplified during a joint press conference with Macron, where Trump seemed disengaged from the nuances of a peace deal that might allow Putin to keep territory he’s seized — potentially paving the way for future conflicts.
Trump’s focus, instead, was on the idea that the invasion wouldn’t have happened if he had remained in office.
Macron’s Charm Offensive
Macron, ever the diplomat, used every tool at his disposal to maintain a cordial atmosphere, offering compliments, handshakes, and constant flattery. Even when Trump made a false claim about Europe’s support for Ukraine, Macron managed to correct him in the Oval Office without creating a rift.
Afterward, Macron appeared on Fox News, discussing his efforts to persuade Trump to engage Russia with more deterrence. “The arrival of President Trump is a game-changer,” he said, while stressing the need for a truce and full-fledged negotiations.
Macron emphasized that Europe wants peace, but it cannot come at the expense of a weak agreement. France and Britain are pushing for security guarantees for Ukraine, which they believe can only be assured with U.S. support.
“The fact that there are Europeans ready to engage in providing security guarantees, and now there’s a clear message from the U.S. that they’re ready to back that approach — that’s a turning point,” Macron declared.
But Trump’s hesitance to publicly commit to U.S. support raises questions. Is he avoiding angering Putin before their summit, or is he concerned about potential conflicts between U.S. and Russian forces?
Despite Macron’s optimism, Trump still views the war from a different perspective, as demonstrated by his actions at the UN.
U.S. Votes with Adversaries
At the UN, the U.S. delegation joined Russia and North Korea in voting against a resolution condemning Russian aggression in Ukraine. Later, both Russia and the U.S. voted together on a different resolution that called for an end to the war, but avoided mentioning Russia’s role in the aggression.
The resolution passed, but several of the U.S.’s closest allies — including France and Britain — abstained, proposing amendments to include references to Ukraine’s territorial integrity, which Russia vetoed.
This rift between the U.S. and its European allies, which have relied on American support since World War II, was starkly exposed during Trump’s remarks in the Oval Office. When asked whether Putin, a leader who imprisons and kills his opponents, could be considered a “dictator,” Trump hesitated.
“I don’t use those words lightly,” Trump replied, even though he had recently used the term to describe Ukraine’s democratically elected president, Zelensky.
This moment, accompanied by Macron’s bemused expression, underscored the enormity of the challenge ahead: navigating the deep divisions between the U.S. and its allies as Trump pushes forward with his unorthodox approach to peace.