Josh Rogin, Columnist

Trump’s Long Romance With Russia

The candidate's friendly foreign policy toward Putin would extend his company's decades-long charm offensive.

March 15, 2016 at 3:04 PM UTC

By Josh Rogin

Josh Rogin is a former Bloomberg View columnist.

Emin Agalarov, Donald Trump and Aras Agalarov at the Miss Universe pageant in Moscow in 2013.
Photographer: Victor Boyko/Getty Images

Provide news feedback or report an error

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

This article is for subscribers only.

When Donald Trump talks about his desire to have good relations between the U.S. and Russia, it’s not a recent attraction. Trump’s attempts to expand his business and his brand there date back decades, and this history casts a shadow over his pro-Russian foreign policy. As a presidential candidate, he courts Putin's favor, extending the charm offensive intended to build the Trump real-estate empire.

“Wouldn’t it be nice if actually we could get along with Russia?” Trump asked at a recent Republican presidential debate. It’s a line he’s used in rallies as well. Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have exchanged praise and Trump said he “would probably get along with him very well.”