Retired U.S. Army Gen. Wesley Clark told Newsmax on Monday that he’s encouraged to see the U.S. engaging with Russia while trying to end Moscow’s nearly there-year-old invasion of Ukraine.

Clark also suggested on “American Agenda” another motive might in play by the Trump administration outside of a peace deal: pulling Russian President Vladimir Putin away from China’s influence and siding more with U.S. interests.

“The big picture on this is the United States is with Russia engaging,” Clark said. “And so, if you look at the world, it’s the United States, Russia and China. Is it possible, I’m just suggesting, is it possible that President Trump sees a way of bringing Putin back into the world community in such a way as to use Putin with us instead of Putin with China?

Read more at Newsmax© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.