Tourists visiting the Maldives have given their opinions on Donald Trump – and what the end of sanctions his administration is considering could mean for their country
Russians have shared their thoughts on Donald Trump’s chaotic return to power for the first time since the President voiced his goals for “peace” – and they are all saying the same thing.
Promises from the new Commander-in-Chief to end the war in Ukraine have buoyed the country’s general population, with the economy rebounding on hopes that US sanctions could soon come to an end. Trump’s administration is reportedly looking into easing the financial restraints on the nation in a bid to strike a deal – all while dialling back support for Volodymyr Zelensky’s freedom fighters.
Excitement from within the Kremlin has been palpable, with Vladimir Putin and his allies reportedly giddy about negotiations suddenly swaying in their favour. Some of that excitement as filtered down to regular Russians, many of whom have said they hope Trump is successful in reducing the pressure on their country.
Tourists on holiday in the Maldives, the island nation in the Indian Ocean that is one of the most popular hotspots for Russians, are united in their wish for sanctions – and the war – to end. Tamara Taratorina, the owner of Dive Together, a business she operates from the Maldives, told Voice of America ending sanctions would help her business and customers.
She said: “For my business, we want the sanctions to be lifted from the banks and payment networks swiftly so my tourists can use their bank cards abroad and we can make payments from Russian banks to international ones.” Elvira Parfenova, a tourist whose importer husband has seen his business boom and switched to cryptocurrency to avoid the sanctions, said Russians hope Trump can stop the war.
She said: “I think a lot of Russians were hoping that Trump will stop the war. He was declaring that he was going to do it. At the same time, we can’t be certain…as any effective president will lobby the interests of his own country.” Voice of America said every one of the tourists they quizzed was united in their desire to see the war end, with most also keen for sanctions to be stripped back.
And Trump seems prepared to deliver on their hopes, with the White House having now instructed officials to draft proposals for lifting sanctions on Russia. Sources familiar with the process and a US official have said work on an “option paper” has begun, with the state and treasury departments asked to draw a list of sanctions that could be eased.
Reducing the sanctions could be used as a bargaining chip, with officials likely planning to use them to entice Russia into negotiations and improve diplomatic and economic ties with the nation – reversing decades of diplomatic opposition and placing already endangered Ukrainians at risk.
