Useful Idiots and Useless Allies: Trump and Putin’s Disaster Duo

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(KYIV, UKRAINE) – An Irish journalist has delivered a stinging critique of the Kremlin, arguing that recent electoral losses for the Russian dictator’s allies in Europe signal a dramatic erosion of Moscow’s influence on the continent.

Documentary filmmaker Caolan Robertson, speaking to Ukrainian TV host Nataliia Lutsenko, stated that the defeat of Hungarian leader Viktor Orban strips the Russian dictator of a critical lever to block European Union aid to Ukraine. “They’re pissed off that their friend Orban is out of power because that’s another one of their dictator friends like Putin who just lost his seat,” Mr Robertson said. “People like JD Vance have no interest in Ukraine.”

The journalist asserted that he expects Vladimir Putin to attempt to reinforce his influence through other EU member states. He launched a broader attack on the Trump administration, accusing it of betraying democratic values and boasting about cutting American financial support for Kyiv. “The Trump administration from the beginning are responsible for the USA drying up and the American money drying up,” Mr Robertson stated, describing the policy as a “farce” and advocating for Europe to completely ignore the White House’s statements on the conflict.

Mr Robertson made a clear distinction between the actions of the US government and its citizens, noting that Ukrainians separate “the voters of the United States and the regular everyday people that still love Ukraine” from Donald Trump. He argued that Trump is openly aligning with authoritarian regimes. “Right now they’re lashing out that another one of their friends has been overthrown, that Orban’s gone,” he said, noting that the loss in Hungary means “their CPAC grift isn’t going to get funded anymore by Hungary.”

The discussion highlighted that populist figures in Europe, such as Marine Le Pen, are now distancing themselves from Washington’s endorsement. Mr Robertson observed that the US Vice President’s intervention in the Hungarian elections backfired severely. “The fact that JD Vance showed up to try and keep Orban in power and his approval rating dropped by 3% the next day tells you everything you need to know about his reputation,” he said.

Regarding the potential for peace negotiations, the journalist dismissed the notion that the Trump administration was ever a sincere partner, calling the Russian dictator’s use of Trump a case of a “useful idiot.” He welcomed the White House’s explicit hostility towards Ukraine, saying it puts their position “on the record” for history. He concluded that Europeans are now “switching off” from Washington, viewing turning their backs on Kyiv as one of the “most staining moments of history for America.”

Turning to the situation on the battlefield, Ms Lutsenko questioned whether the ICC indicted Putin is being cornered. Mr Robertson concurred that the dictator’s position is tightening, citing a cascade of geopolitical setbacks including the loss of power by allies in Hungary and Syria. He noted the irony of declining approval ratings for the Russian dictator inside Russia, not because of his brutal invasion, but due to internet service disruptions.

“Putin’s new approval ratings have just been released and it shows way back before 2022,” Mr Robertson explained, adding that the biggest drop occurred in 2026 when the internet went down. “That tells you that Russians are far more upset with losing internet than their country invading and trying to steal their neighbour.” He assessed that if a tipping point against the mass murderer ever comes, it will be driven by the deprivation of social media, not moral outrage over atrocities in Bucha.

Despite the increasing pressure on the Kremlin, the filmmaker cautioned against premature optimism. He relayed a report from a contact in Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast, describing an intensification of drone warfare. “She said she’s in Kramatorsk. There are FPVs hitting the city more than ever. They’re being launched from Shaheds now as mother drones,” he warned, adding that things were getting “very dark and difficult there yet again.”

Mr Robertson concluded that Russia remains exceptionally persistent and will continue dragging its civilians into the abyss. He highlighted Ukraine’s parallel war against the Russian economy, specifically referencing recent strikes against the shadow fleet. “Ukraine hit seven drones into shadow fleet ships again in the last few days. If you read the Russian newspapers yesterday, they talk about yet more economic decline,” he said. The discussion was featured by the YouTube channel “War & Politics 24.”