Fact check: Is Trump allying with Russia right now?

1. Summary of the results

The evidence suggests Trump is actively engaging with Russia in diplomatic negotiations, though characterizing this as an "alliance" requires more nuanced understanding. Key actions include:

• The US voting against UN resolutions condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, aligning with countries like North Korea and Belarus ^[1]
• Direct diplomatic talks between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia ^[2]
• Trump's administration negotiating with Russia regarding the Ukraine conflict without Ukrainian participation ^[3]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual elements need consideration:

• While diplomatic engagement is occurring, this doesn't necessarily constitute a traditional "alliance" ^[3]
• Historian Anne Applebaum characterizes this as a "radical" shift in US foreign policy rather than a straightforward alliance ^[3]
• Trump is reportedly repeating Russian narratives about the war and questioning Zelenskyy's legitimacy ^[4]
• Social media allegations about Trump being a Russian asset remain unverified, with no intelligence agency confirmation ^[5]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question oversimplifies a complex diplomatic situation:

• The term "allying" suggests a formal partnership, while the evidence points more toward diplomatic engagement and policy alignment
• Multiple stakeholders have interests in how this relationship is portrayed:

Russia benefits from portraying these negotiations as a legitimate diplomatic process

Traditional US allies and Ukraine have interests in characterizing these actions as betrayal of democratic values

• The Trump administration presents these actions as peace negotiations ^[3], while critics view them as abandonment of traditional allies ^[3]
• Claims about Trump being a Russian asset on social media lack concrete evidence ^[5], highlighting the importance of distinguishing between verified diplomatic actions and unsubstantiated allegations