The political expert asked 'Could the Russian intelligence services have ever dreamt of a more perfect candidate and policies to serve Russia’s interests?' as Trump moves to throw Putin a lifeline

President Donald Trump teased a possible meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Monday from the Oval Office, amid his “serious discussions" with Russian President Vladimir Putin about ending the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Mr. Trump has long demanded that NATO and other allies contribute more to their own defense. But the minerals agreement would represent a major escalation in his transactional approach to foreign policy. The United States was once seen as the world’s policeman, but to many analysts it now seems more like an extortionate Mafia kingpin.

Ukraine said on Wednesday it had reached a "preliminary" deal to hand revenue from some of its mineral resources to the United States, before an expected trip to Washington by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Friday.

A deal that would see Ukraine turn over revenue from its mineral resources to the U.S. appeared imminent after a Trump-led public pressure campaign.

US President Donald Trump has announced that tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports will take effect next month, ending a temporary suspension.