Russian chess legend Garry Kasparov isn't holding back on his assessment of President Donald Trump's approach to the Ukraine conflict. The former world champion claims Trump's administration isn't being outplayed by Russia but is actively working alongside Moscow to undermine Ukraine.

Playing the Long Game

In a pointed post on X over the weekend, Kasparov wrote: "If you still think the Trump WH is being played by Russia, then the one who is being played is you. The fake negotiations, the 'two weeks' delays, the threats and calls, it's all a charade."

He didn't stop there, adding bluntly: "Trump has worked hand in glove with Russia to try to force Ukraine to surrender."

The Clock Is Ticking

The criticism comes as the U.S. has established a June 2026 deadline for Ukraine and Russia to hammer out a peace deal ending the nearly four-year war, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. If that deadline passes without agreement, Washington will likely amp up pressure on both countries.

Zelenskyy confirmed Ukraine will participate in the next round of trilateral talks in the U.S., probably in Miami. The previous negotiations in Abu Dhabi went nowhere fast when Russia demanded Ukraine pull out of Donbas—a non-starter for Kyiv—while other thorny issues like control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant remained stuck.

The deadline underscores ongoing U.S. diplomatic efforts even as Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure continue. Kasparov previously criticized U.S. leadership during a Trump-Zelenskyy meeting last year, while President Trump has warned the conflict could spiral into a wider global war, pushing for diplomatic solutions.