In 2016, the excitement in Moscow was palpable when Donald Trump won the presidency. Russian ultranationalist politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky celebrated in style, toasting Trump’s victory with 132 bottles of champagne at the Duma, Russia’s parliament. It wasn’t just Zhirinovsky; media personalities and officials also reveled in the moment, hoping for a new era in US-Russian relations.
Back then, many Russians believed Trump would lift sanctions, maybe even recognize Crimea as part of Russia. “Trump didn’t preach about human rights in Russia,” noted Konstantin Remchukov, editor of Nezavisimaya Gazeta, capturing the optimism of the time. But that bubbly enthusiasm fizzled quickly when Trump enacted heavy sanctions against Russia during his presidency. “By the end of his term, disappointment set in,” Remchukov recalled.
Fast forward to the current election cycle, and the mood in Moscow is markedly more cautious. President Vladimir Putin’s “endorsement” of the Democratic candidate was taken with a grain of salt, often seen as Kremlin humor. Despite the banter, it’s clear that Trump’s rhetoric, particularly his criticisms of U.S. military support for Ukraine and his reluctance to confront Putin, has caught Kremlin attention.
On the campaign trail, Trump’s statements may be causing some smiles in Moscow, while Kamala Harris’s strong stance on supporting Ukraine and calling Putin a “murderous dictator” draws skepticism from Russian state media. One anchor even joked that Harris should consider a cooking show instead of a political career, reflecting the Kremlin’s dismissive attitude.
Interestingly, a tight election outcome might be a scenario the Kremlin finds appealing. An America embroiled in post-election chaos could divert attention from foreign policy challenges, including the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Relations between the U.S. and Russia have been rocky for years, worsening under both Trump and Biden. After the summit between Biden and Putin, the latter launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, leading to stringent sanctions and significant U.S. military aid to Kyiv. The days of hopeful cooperation, as seen in the Reagan-Gorbachev era, feel like a distant memory.
Yet, amidst this complex backdrop, I ventured to Novodevichy Park to gauge everyday Russians’ sentiments about America and the upcoming election. Igor, an angler at the pond, expressed his disdain: “America has started so many wars. It doesn’t matter who’s president; they’re still the enemy.”
Conversely, others like Svetlana conveyed a more nuanced view. “I want peace and friendship, but my friend in America is scared to call me now. Maybe there’s no free speech there, or perhaps it’s here in Russia that there’s none. I don’t know.”
As the 2024 election approaches, it’s clear that the relationship between Russia and the U.S. remains fraught, marked by skepticism, nostalgia, and hope for a future that balances diplomacy with reality. With the political landscape constantly shifting, one thing remains certain: in this complex dance of power and perception, the world is watching.
