Garry Kasparov issued one of his starkest warnings yet about U.S. politics and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, arguing that allies of President Donald Trump are treating the war as a commercial opportunity rather than a national-security crisis. Speaking before diplomats and defence officials at the Halifax International Security Forum, Kasparov said political actors in Trump's orbit were promoting proposals that would "sell Ukraine" and frame the conflict as a private transaction instead of a decisive battle over European security.
His remarks, delivered as congressional debate intensifies over the next round of U.S. military support, drew swift attention across Western capitals. European officials have repeatedly expressed concern that Washington's internal political tensions could influence the course of the war. Kasparov's intervention sharpened those anxieties by directly linking Trump's political network to what he described as a profit-driven view of the conflict.
Kasparov, a longtime critic of the Kremlin and a leading figure in the Russian pro-democracy movement, argued that a "peace plan" circulating among Trump-aligned figures resembled a "real estate deal" that would "enrich the Trump's family" while legitimizing Russia's territorial gains. He did not identify specific individuals, but he said the proposal risked turning Ukraine's sovereignty into a negotiable asset rather than a matter of international law.
He warned that those promoting such plans "treat the conflict as a private transaction," positioning themselves as brokers of a settlement that would reward Moscow for its invasion. Kasparov said such an approach not only misreads the nature of the war but also undermines the broader security architecture of Europe. He stressed that Ukraine "remains the only force holding back the Russian army from advancing further into Europe," arguing that any Western hesitation would embolden the Kremlin.
His comments come at a moment when U.S. policy is under intense scrutiny. In Washington, disagreements over additional military aid have slowed congressional action, with some Republicans urging a reduced U.S. role or immediate negotiations with Russia. Trump's skepticism of sustained support has amplified those voices, adding pressure to an already fragmented debate.
Diplomats across Europe are monitoring the political signals from Washington as they assess how long Ukraine can maintain its battlefield position. Analysts note that Ukraine's defense effort remains heavily dependent on external military assistance, making U.S. politics unusually central to the trajectory of the war. While Kasparov used forceful language to characterize Trump allies as "crooks," no U.S. agency has corroborated allegations of financial motives behind discussions of a negotiated settlement.
Kasparov's warning reflects his long-held belief that democratic governments underestimate Russia's ambitions at their peril. He argued that Moscow interprets political division in Western capitals as strategic weakness, and that the Kremlin is likely to view the American debate as an opening. His remarks also echo concerns voiced by European leaders who fear that a shift in U.S. policy could reshape NATO's deterrence posture and alter calculations in Kyiv and Moscow alike.
