Donald Trump’s Policy towards Russia and Ukraine in Media Coverage. An Analysis of Narratives, Interpretations, and Elements of Disinformation

In the years 2024–2025, media outlets worldwide extensively commented on Donald Trump’s approach to the ongoing Russian–Ukrainian war.

Although Trump did not hold the office of President in 2024, his electoral declarations and the anticipated policy following a potential return to power became the subject of intense analysis and speculation. In January 2025, Donald Trump effectively assumed the office of President of the United States, which immediately translated into tangible decisions concerning the conflict in Ukraine.

The present analysis examines the dominant media narratives regarding Donald Trump’s policy toward Russia and Ukraine as reflected in American, Russian, international, and Polish media. Instances of disinformation and manipulation have also been identified. The analysis covers both Trump’s actual actions and the interpretations and commentaries formulated across different media environments. The concluding section addresses reactions within U.S. public opinion, which significantly influence Donald Trump’s statements and decisions.

Narratives in American MediaFacts

In mainstream American media, Donald Trump’s actions and statements concerning the war in Ukraine were widely discussed. After assuming office in January 2025, Trump suspended part of U.S. military assistance to Ukraine. This move was presented as a pressure mechanism aimed at encouraging the authorities in Kyiv to enter peace negotiations. The White House communicated that a pause in weapons and equipment deliveries had been introduced, as the assistance was being reviewed to ensure that it contributed to finding a resolution to the conflict. Trump signaled that he sought a rapid peace and expected greater involvement from U.S. allies. According to press reports, the resumption of aid was made conditional upon Ukraine’s genuine engagement in negotiations with Russia.

Trump repeatedly reiterated his declaration that he could end the war within twenty-four hours if he were personally able to mediate. He later explained that this statement had been sarcastic in nature and was intended to highlight, in his view, the low effectiveness of previous administrations. These explanations were also reported by non-U.S. media, including French outlets such as Le Monde.

In February 2025, a widely reported tension arose between Trump and the President of Ukraine. During a televised meeting in the Oval Office, Trump accused Volodymyr Zelensky of lacking gratitude for the assistance previously provided by the United States. American media, including CBS News, described the incident as a public humiliation of the Ukrainian leader. Trump stated that Ukraine had failed to show proper respect and could have ended the war much earlier. In a separate statement, he asserted that Ukraine had been at war for three years and that the conflict should have been ended three years earlier. These remarks were interpreted as an attempt to attribute responsibility for the outbreak of the war to Ukraine, despite the fact that the full-scale conflict began as a result of an unprovoked Russian invasion in 2022. American media, including CNN, pointed to Trump’s omission of this fundamental fact.