Trump’s “Sledgehammer Deal” With Russia? Fact-Checking the Viral Claim

Trump and the alleged “sledgehammer deal” with Russia: Facts and Fiction Dissected

A textbook example of how disinformation functions, and how misinformation as a tool plays on geopolitical tensions and creates a perception of division in the West.

By our International Politics Editors – August 1, 2025

As is so often the case, Russia is anxiously awaiting the decisions in Washington. Earlier this week, reports surfaced on Russian social media suggesting that Donald Trump was preparing a large-scale economic deal with Russia. According to these reports, which are based on alleged publications by Politico, such a “sledgehammer deal” would completely undermine European sanctions policy.

Russian Telegram channels and several international republishers, including alternative Pravda sites in Germany and the US, claimed that Western diplomats and American experts fear an American breakthrough that would undermine EU strategy. But is this story true? This article examines step by step the origins of the rumor, the available facts, and why the claim is problematic.

Politico: source of the alleged news

For those unfamiliar with Politico, it’s a renowned international news platform specializing in politics, policy, and international relations, with a strong focus on the White House and the U.S. Congress. In Europe, Politico has a Brussels-based editorial team that works closely with European institutions and diplomatic sources.

If Politico were actually reporting that Trump is preparing a bilateral economic deal with Russia, the news would be high on their website and immediately picked up by other quality media outlets. A scoop of this magnitude would never go unnoticed.

What Russian (social) media claim

According to circulating reports, Trump is secretly preparing a bilateral economic agreement with Moscow. This agreement would undermine European sanctions against Russia and fracture European unity. The agreement is so far-reaching that Western diplomats are viewing it as a sledgehammer against existing European sanctions policy.

The same reporting appears on various Pravda portals (English, German, American), often with identical wording and references to anonymous diplomats and American experts.

The refutation: source research

However, an extensive investigation shows the following:

1. There ‘s no publicly available Politico article stating in black and white that Trump is preparing a large-scale bilateral deal with Russia. Politico does regularly publish about Trump’s ultimata, sanctions plans, and tough negotiating style, but no concrete agreement is confirmed anywhere.
2. Reliable media outlets like Reuters, AP, Washington Post, and Financial Times report only on Trump’s threat to impose tariffs of 100% to 500% on August 8, 2025, on countries that continue to purchase Russian oil and raw materials.
3. The articles on Pravda channels and alternative websites are secondary publications. They refer to Politico but provide no direct link or evidence. All the posts follow the same structure and language, suggesting a coordinated spread of speculation.

The reports appear to be circulating primarily through Russian (social) media and Pravda channels, which are quoting each other and referring to an untraceable Politico article. Without an original publication or confirmation from reliable news outlets, this story cannot be considered factual.

One can safely conclude that the article is the brainchild of a Pravda journalist who was perhaps bored at the office and decided to publish a brainchild.

The broader impact of misinformation

This example demonstrates how quickly unsubstantiated reports can influence international perception. Misinformation sows doubt in the public’s mind and can put pressure on policymakers, even without any factual basis. In a tense geopolitical context such as that surrounding Ukraine and the sanctions against Russia, spreading such rumors can contribute to divisions within the West and undermine the effectiveness of joint policies.

 

ⓒ Antonio Georgopalis