A recent report by The Guardian on December 21, 2023, Fiona Hill, a former White House Russia expert, cautioned that Russian President Vladimir Putin considers ex-US President Donald Trump a valuable ally in undermining American democracy and global leadership.
Hill, who held a key role in the National Security Council under both Trump and President Joe Biden, revealed in an interview that Putin knows how to manipulate Trump and views his potential return to power as advantageous. She emphasized that Putin might use this anticipation to intimidate various nations, particularly Ukraine and Europe.
Putin’s confidence in manipulating Trump, Hill explained, stems from past experiences, where he successfully employed flattery to influence the former president. According to Hill, Putin perceives Trump as an asset and anticipates his swift intervention to favor Russia in the Ukraine conflict.
Hill highlighted Putin’s ongoing determination to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and the European Union, viewing the region as a proxy war against the United States. As tensions escalate over Russia’s military buildup near the Ukrainian border, Hill stressed the importance of the US presenting a united front and a clear strategy to deter further aggression from Putin.
In light of these concerns, Hill urged the American people to reject Trump’s rhetoric and defend democracy from both foreign and domestic threats. She emphasized the need for the US to restore global leadership and collaborate with allies, particularly given challenges posed by countries like China, Iran, and North Korea.
