While Donald Trump tries to use every opportunity to showcase his own diplomatic successes, the Kremlin doesn’t miss a chance to play along. Even the rescue of Ukrainians from the occupied town of Oleshky is turning into part of a political spectacle: Melania Trump’s name is being linked to the humanitarian mission, while Vladimir Putin gets the chance to appear as a partner who is supposedly helping the American president. At the same time, Moscow’s calculations behind such gestures may be entirely different.
Yuri Rashkin, a U.S. civic and political activist, explained in an exclusive interview with 24 Channel why the Kremlin is trying to involve the U.S. First Lady in humanitarian initiatives, why Donald Trump is using the release of hostages for his own political interests, and how Russia is gradually trying to expand its influence over the White House.
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How Putin Is Trying to “Hide Behind” Melania Trump and the Mission in Oleshky
The humanitarian mission in Oleshky was linked to Melania Trump. Following the mission’s success, Russian and Ukrainian negotiators asked her to continue peace efforts that could potentially encompass the entire conflict. Many people tell me that Melania acts as an independent player, while many others say she can’t do anything at all without Trump. What do you think?
It’s kind of hard for me to discuss this situation because Melania Trump is just a nameplate here. It’s like how Trump usually has a sign hung on a building he didn’t build, labeled “Trump Property.” And you pay more for it because it’s Trump.
And it’s an interesting idea, but I’m still just baffled. I’m trying to figure out how it came to be that we’re here, that this has suddenly become a story worth discussing – and, apparently, an important one.
And “ Oleshky ” – I’m happy for every person who has escaped and survived, and is surviving this war on the Ukrainian side. I mean, that’s great. But I’m trying to figure out what role Melania Trump plays in this, why they chose her, and why they put her on this flag.
And I think this is probably just another idea of how Putin wants to help Trump in the election. And it won’t work. It just shows how little Putin can actually offer to really help Donald in the election. He’s doing everything he can. He’s brokered an incredible ceasefire. So they’re attributing these miracles on the battlefield to Melania Trump.
Why not Ivanka Trump? Why not Jared Kushner? Why not Eric Trump? Why Melania? Because she’s from Europe too – she’s Eastern European – so she’s “one of you.” That’s why you want to make deals with her. To an American, this all seems completely baffling.
So I look at this and try to understand what’s going on here. It looks like a PR stunt by the Kremlin that won’t work the way they wanted, but will still help someone. Okay. And if we need to thank Melania Trump for this – okay, good job, Melania.
But couldn’t she also talk to her husband so that he doesn’t lash out at people there in the first place? Or is it only possible to help people when he isn’t looking, because her husband would very much like to help Putin crush Ukraine completely and utterly?
Melania knows about this – what does she think about it? Look, Laura Loomer went there, saw for herself, and changed her perspective. Maybe Melania should go take a look – or does she just want to help and save people from a safe distance? Why doesn’t she hop on one of those buses?
I mean, I don’t want to come across here as some awful Democrat who’s bashing every Republican, but she’s not a Republican – she’s just a politician’s wife. Why has everything gotten so tangled up here? That’s what I’m trying to figure out. And it all seems very strange and mysterious. But if it helps anyone in Ukraine, I’m glad.
Actually, I’m seeing articles here saying that Russia is preparing some kind of offensive, that Russia is conducting military maneuvers for this purpose. That’s what’s being discussed here. It doesn’t look like Melania’s “holiday”; it looks like Putin is trying to use Melania as a cover to push even further. As always, he’s constantly hiding behind someone. Now he’s hiding behind Melania.
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What Russia Might Be Planning After the U.S. Election
Yes, they’re regrouping their troops, and there are military maneuvers. But nevertheless, this is the first time during the full-scale war that the Russians haven’t fired a shot or violated the agreement for over 90 hours.
I think there are two points here that are important to note. First, everything is clearly moving toward November 3. Putin is trying to help Trump.
All of this is clearly being done in anticipation of November 3. Because once November 4 arrives, it will tell us just how much of this was all a show for the election, which ends on November 4 – because voting is ending, and the polling stations are about to close.
What does this mean? It means that even more aggressive strikes and even more active actions could resume then. And “the gates of hell open” when the polling stations in Hawaii – the farthest point – close. Perhaps. But this is what we need to understand here.
When I talk to Americans, I say: “Listen, it’s all about Melania. She’s this kind of woman – you know, Ukrainians really appreciate her. She’s playing such an incredible role right now.” Although in America, it’s somehow unclear what’s actually going on here – how she got dragged into this, why Russia is regrouping its troops, and so on.
And Americans say, “Well, Ukraine has…” I say, “Ukraine doesn’t have many friends right now who are standing up like this. There’s Angelina Jolie, but there aren’t really any friends that strong. Putin is the enemy. Xi Jinping is practically an enemy; Trump is a complete enemy. Then there’s France. All in all, knowing what’s going on in this world, the situation isn’t simple.”
The Americans say, “But the Pope, the Pope is on Ukraine’s side.” I say, “Yes, but it seems to me that Ukrainians don’t particularly appreciate that,” because Ukrainians view the Pope partly through the lens of Pope Francis’s reputation, who was also perceived in the United States as simply a saint.
And from the Ukrainians’ perspective, all his statements about white flags and brotherly nations – all of that, naturally, played a terrible role in the reputation of the entire institution. But now here comes a Pope who, all in all, is such an American liberal. And how he managed to become Pope, I don’t fully know or understand. But now the Catholic Church’s reputation in the eyes of liberal Americans has grown significantly.
There are some very interesting dynamics there regarding the presence of all sorts of conservative Catholics and so on. But the Pope himself is extremely pro-Ukrainian and pro-liberal. This is the very moment when they discovered something was wrong with him – he needed lung surgery.
I was very nervous because Ukraine really needs friends now more than ever. And when we see that a person like this has health problems, I got a little anxious. But I hope he’ll make a full recovery. It’s a common condition – it’s treatable and so on.
But because of history and historical facts, Ukrainians are currently underestimating a man who, in the eyes of Americans, is practically Ukraine’s greatest champion in the world. Naturally, he’ll have problems with Trump. Naturally, he won’t get what he wants, because he’s an opponent of both Trump and Putin.
But just because he may not be as effective doesn’t mean he lacks the best intentions and desires, or the ability to exert influence and serve as a platform for negotiations. Perhaps, if there are any negotiations, perhaps the Vatican could be that mediator – whether respected or not, I don’t know. But I think the Pope will still play a role of some sort. That’s why I wouldn’t write the Pope off or replace him with Melania Trump.
What’s Wrong with the Release of Hostage Steve Gabbard
Trump met with Steve Gabbard. He invited him to the Oval Office and finally explained why he hadn’t imposed sanctions on Putin. It turns out it was all for Steve Gabbard, a 74-year-old man who had been shuffled around camps there. And Trump says, “If I had imposed sanctions on Russia, then Hubbard wouldn’t be standing here with us now, and he wouldn’t have come back.”
Yet another low this president has hit. It’s simply unbelievable how he’s exploiting people in a situation that’s clearly a personal tragedy. And once again, the claim that Russia traffics in people. But Trump is the one buying people.
And now he’s waving this around before the election: “Look, I saved a hostage – that’s so important to you.” It’s such hypocrisy. He couldn’t care less who’s alive or dead, as long as they’re not members of his immediate family.
I don’t know what this Mr. Hubbard actually thinks; I’ve heard theories that he was pro-Russian and that he was released when his term ended. But he’s alive, he’s in the United States – where, by the way, he hasn’t wanted to live for a long time. I wonder why?
But now he’s been brought back – rescued and returned to the United States – and the president is practically waving him around like a rattle right before the election, hoping it will somehow help him win back votes.
It looks like another Kremlin idea. Putin says, “So why aren’t you promoting this? I gave you such a gift.” Trump says, “Indeed, indeed, such a gift. We need to show him to everyone right away. Let’s all get together. Look, Gabbard.”
There you go. And we look at this Gabbard, and we have, as always, mixed feelings, because, on the one hand, it’s a good thing, but on the other hand, Trump has ruined it. These are all typical stunts. You just have to understand that a lot of people have already voted, and his grandstanding doesn’t impress anyone.
How Russia Is Starting to “Walk All Over” the White House
Lavrov stated that “we shouldn’t live under illusions” when commenting on the diesel deal with the U.S. Supposedly, Russia has never politicized the economic sphere. Meanwhile, in the U.S., officials are calling for the tankers to be stopped and not unloaded. The Washington Times reported that oil and gas companies aren’t “too happy” about these tankers. Washington and Moscow say, “Take them.” But the companies are refusing. How so?
Well, first of all, there’s a theory that the government could pay for this diesel, buy it, and introduce it into the system itself. So we’ll never count Trump out, although, in theory, there’s hope that he might go to Brazil. That would be good.
Because we in the United States don’t need it – it doesn’t save us from anything. It’s a spoonful of diesel for Trump; it’s nonsense.
Look, when it comes to these statements regarding the Patriot, that’s great. Trump agreed, but this is the same old Trump who says, “Okay, I’ll sell you a spot in line. And when will you get it? Someday.”
And here’s a statement that the person making it – that is, Lavrov – doesn’t like, but in reality, it doesn’t change anything. Ukraine hasn’t received any real aid from the U.S. – which provides real aid to Russia – and it still doesn’t, because Russia gets specific concessions.
But Lavrov would rather sit around and complain. It’s never enough for him. He’s dissatisfied that there are still American politicians who oppose all of this.
Of course there are. What did he expect? And merging with Russia won’t do any good. Americans see this; they’re protesting, and so sanctions will be imposed – even now, after the election, when the Democrats will control at least one chamber, if not the Senate as well – and then we’ll see that Trump will have problems.
And so, on the one hand, there’s no breakthrough, but on the other hand, what is Trump if not an icebreaker? What is an icebreaker if not a breakthrough? If we can at least wedge a shoe in that door to keep it from closing. That’s exactly what Russia is doing right now – it’s cracked that door open, and this poison is starting to seep in. So what is that, if not a breakthrough?
Who Might Lose Their Jobs in the Trump Administration
There’s speculation that the first person who might soon lose his position in the U.S. is Pete Hagset.
He’s at the top of the list, though the list is, of course, long.
Who else is at the top of this “anti-ranking” of those most likely to be the first to go?
Well, when it comes to who’s first in line to be fired, it’s basically the entire Trump cabinet, with rare exceptions. Because the Attorney General is what really worries people. I’d say he’s number one.
But members of the cabinet, for example, the Secretary of Health and Human Services – what’s that all about? That’s Robert Kennedy. I don’t understand how anyone could even be elected to office. He talked about how he used drugs. So, he’s our Secretary of Health. They’d really like to see him out the door.
Our Minister Scott Bessent – he’s the very embodiment of corruption. That’s why the Democrats would very much like to ask him a lot of questions.
On the one hand, it’s nice – justice has prevailed. On the other hand, Trump goes and says, “Here’s the next one.” They tell him, “No, it won’t fly this time, because the Democrats control, say, the Senate.” Trump says, “Well, okay, then I’ll just appoint him as acting.”
In other words, Trump is increasingly playing a game where he can’t be held accountable, where he can’t be monitored, and he’ll keep trying to do this. But, nevertheless, the Democrats will pounce on those parts of his octopus that rise above the surface and try to cut them off for good. To say, “This is how we fight Trumpism.” Maybe something will come of it.
For now, at least getting rid of Hegset was a really good move, because everything he’s been doing in this administration is part of what’s called the “chilling effect” – when they go after people to deter others.
He’s such a favorite of the president; he’s actually planning to run for either the Senate or the presidency himself. So if those awful Democrats remove him now, he’ll just become a MAGA hero. In fact, if the party falls apart, Pete Hagset could very well be one of the next representatives there.
How Republicans Are Fighting for the Senate in the Election
And the Senate race will remain a nail-biter until the very end, right? Is there any indication yet of who might win it?
It’ll be a nail-biter until the very end, just like a sports game. Not until the final whistle blows and we know the game is over – because unpredictable things can happen.
Unpredictable things can happen here, partly because the Democrats look like they might win in Republican states. And there’s the Republican machine, which will try to do everything it can. To list it all – basically, there’s no question that they’ll do everything possible to make the voting process more difficult for the people they consider a nuisance.
This whole process will be set in motion because Trump will say, “You did everything you could.” If anyone can say there was something else they could have done to slow things down and make life harder for Democrats – and they didn’t do it – Trump will tear them apart.
That’s why I’m confident that the Republican machine – in Texas, Iowa, and Kansas – oh my God, especially in Kansas – will do everything in its power to prevent a Democrat from winning.
By the way, here’s a funny little example. Trump was supposed to fly to Kansas for a rally. He canceled it. People asked him, “Why are you canceling your favorite activity?”
They ask, “Are things going so badly for you in Kansas that you’re not even going there anymore?” And the candidates, in fact, are usually just happy when Trump doesn’t go there, because, generally speaking, he doesn’t really help their poll numbers.
And there’s a certain sense of despair in this, and a certain acknowledgment that Trump is getting old. Trump isn’t what he used to be, and the party doesn’t want him around.
Take Mississippi, for example – it’s a very “red” state, so to speak. So places like Mississippi, Alabama, and the Deep South are the Republican Party through and through.
But they’re unhappy with Trump right now because prices have gone up. We’ve been discussing this week after week, but the situation hasn’t changed. And in a sense, with the election getting closer and the situation not improving – even though Trump supporters were promised that everything would get better now. And now Trump is saying, “Everything will get better right after the election,” but we don’t really trust him. So his popularity is going to keep dropping.
And there are already voices from Republicans who want to challenge him for the presidency because he’s so unprecedentedly unpopular. That’s the best-case scenario I’d like to count on – something you and I will discuss after the election, by which time we’ll already know enough to confirm that the House of Representatives has fallen into Democratic hands.
As for the Senate, we’ll have to wait and see, because votes are counted at the state level. Senators are elected by the entire state – there are two per state – so that might take a little longer. But the Democrats are very anxious to get this done as quickly as possible.
FBI agents are now privately expressing concern that they’ll be used to seize ballots and so on. But the country is voting very actively right now, and I’m glad I’m not seeing any stories about people saying, “Well, because Trump is going to try to steal the election, I’m not going to vote.”
Why Trump Is “Attacking” Robert De Niro
Meanwhile, Trump continues to dig himself into an even deeper hole. He says Robert De Niro is simply disgusting and has once again lashed out at a friend of Ukraine who called for Trump to be removed from office. Does he really not understand that such tactics and strategies don’t work?
It’s not as if Robert De Niro and his fans once loved Trump and suddenly fell out of love with him. No, they never loved him. For us, De Niro is practically the embodiment of opposition to Trump.
So when Trump spits in his direction, it’s just another “hello, my darling” to his base – a reminder that he hasn’t forgotten them, that he remembers, and that he knows who our “enemies” are.
And do you know what’s going on with Robert De Niro right now? If I’m not mistaken, he has a new comedy movie coming out. So Trump is jealous again. He’s just an old, terrible, washed-up comedian who thinks he’s the funniest guy around just because people show up.
Trump thinks he’s funny; he’s jealous of comedians. He’s most jealous of Obama, whose speeches are like comedy routines. He tells jokes; he has a certain way of delivering them. Imagine that, right?
And then there’s this comparison, for example, of what Trump did to the White House – he said it was like the Cheesecake Factory. That’s a restaurant chain in the United States, all gilded and flashy. What’s more, Obama says that Trump loves renovations – he should host a home improvement show on TV. That would be his favorite thing to do.
But what we’re seeing right now with the White House and this president – I don’t know – it’s the kind of role Leslie Nielsen would have just dreamed of. We need a different actor to play Trump in this role. Someone so clueless who goes on and on about how much Vladimir Putin loves him.
So it’s a disgrace, a nightmare. And the fact that he chooses his own enemies. It’s very important to understand with Trump: it doesn’t matter what was said; what matters is who said it. That’s why when journalists ask him questions, his first response is, “Where are you from?” In other words, it’s very important to him who said it. If Putin said it, that’s great. If Robert De Niro said it, that’s terrible.
This interview has been condensed, corrected, and edited for the audience’s better understanding.
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