Huju, how do you explain Trump’s pressure on Europe to close northstream, contribute more to NATO, produce more oil and gas in USA and export to Europe? All of that was undermining Putin’s plans that are clear now in hindsight.
I won’t deny that Russians and Chinese would support any divisiness, including both sides, but still their friends are marked by supporting Russian interests at the end even if not overly. For example, fight against nuclear power and climate made Europe dependent on Russian gas, enabling this war. I am sure you can point to some aspect of Trump that benefits Russia, say increase in tensions between USA and EU, but as described his core positions were against Russian core strategy.