Donald Trump has expressed a desire to lead the United States in a manner similar to Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to his former national security adviser, Fiona Hill. In an interview with Sky News, Hill pointed out that both leaders view the world as divided among three major powers: Russia, the U.S., and China, each with distinct spheres of influence.
Hill described their worldviews as "shockingly similar." She emphasized that Trump is the first U.S. president who seems to want a highly personalized style of governance, akin to Putin’s top-down approach, which lacks checks and balances. Hill stated, "He wants to create a hyper-personalized presidency, governing the country in a very similar fashion."
Hill elaborated that Trump has consistently sought to "normalize" relations between the U.S. and Russia since his first term. She noted that Trump has shown a keen interest in establishing a personal rapport with Putin, aiming to resolve various issues in their bilateral relationship, including nuclear arms and economic deals.
She highlighted that this approach marks a departure from previous U.S. administrations, suggesting that under Trump, there could be a greater likelihood of a close relationship between the U.S. and Russia. Hill also mentioned Trump’s intention to reduce U.S. support for Ukraine, pushing European nations to take on more responsibility for their own security and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
This perspective aligns with Trump’s recent comments that a resolution to the war in Ukraine is "very close." As discussions continue to evolve, Hill’s insights shed light on the potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy should Trump return to power.
