Kathrine Frich
Trump’s vision wasn’t about “selling out” Ukraine.
Trump’s vision wasn’t about “selling out” Ukraine.
Trump Wanted a Bold Pact with Moscow
Former U.S. Ambassador to the EU, Gordon Sondland, told Polish press agency PAP that Donald Trump once had a “grand plan” to strike a major deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The goal is to end the war in Ukraine and help Russia become wealthy through economic cooperation with the U.S.
Peace First, Then Prosperity
According to Sondland, Trump’s vision wasn’t about “selling out” Ukraine.
Instead, he aimed to negotiate peace as a precondition to bringing Russia into a prosperous alliance with the West.
“Let’s get out of Ukraine and focus on making Russia rich,” was how Trump framed it, said the former diplomat.
Putin’s Obsession With Ukraine Killed the Deal
The biggest obstacle, Sondland claims, was Putin himself.
“He’s so fixated on Ukraine, he can’t see what’s good for his own country,” said the ambassador.
Despite multiple public and private talks, Putin wouldn’t budge and Trump eventually lost patience.
From Pragmatism to Profanity
Trump, known for his blunt style, allegedly grew frustrated with the lack of progress.
“He gave him time, he gave him talks,” Sondland said. “But in the end, he just said: ‘OK, f*** him.’”
The ex-ambassador insisted Trump’s tone changed dramatically once he realized Putin wouldn’t cooperate.
Cold-Eyed but Calculated
“I heard Trump talk about Putin many, many times,” Sondland noted. “His view is surprisingly clear-headed and accurate.”
While often criticized for being soft on Russia, Trump saw Putin as a usefu and potentially reformable partner, Sondland suggested.
Keeping Russia Away from China
Trump’s original idea was twofold: bring peace to Ukraine and drive a wedge between Russia and China.
He believed Moscow could be pulled westward economically, reducing its reliance on Beijing if only Putin would walk away from the battlefield.
Russia’s Potential: Rich in Land, Starved for Cash
“Russia has land,” Sondland recalled Trump saying. “What it needs now is money not more territory.”
Trump’s offer, according to the ambassador, was aimed at showing Putin there was another way to greatness beyond war.
A Vision That Never Took Off
In the end, Trump’s “grand deal” remained just a vision. While the ambition may have been genuine, Putin’s unwillingness to compromise meant the plan never moved beyond backroom discussions.
Still, the idea shows Trump was thinking well beyond the next news cycle.
