Honestly, if you’re asking if the US is allied with Russia, the short answer is a hard "no." In the world of international politics, an "ally" isn't just a country you’re being nice to—it’s someone you have a formal, legal agreement to defend. Think NATO. Think "an attack on one is an attack on all."
The US and Russia? They are about as far from that as you can get.
But here is where it gets weird. If you’ve been scrolling through the news lately, you’ve probably seen some headlines that make it look like things are changing. We are currently in January 2026, and the vibe is... different. Under the second Trump administration, the frosty, "on the brink of World War III" energy of the last few years has shifted into something else. It’s not an alliance. It’s more like a messy, high-stakes attempt at normalization.
Is US Allied With Russia Right Now?
Let's be incredibly clear: there is no treaty. There is no "Friendship Pact."
If you look at the official stance of the US State Department, Russia is still frequently categorized as an adversary. However, 2025 was a year of massive U-turns. For the first time in decades, we saw the US side with Russia in the United Nations on certain key votes. Back in February 2025, the US actually voted against a resolution to condemn the invasion of Ukraine. That sent shockwaves through Europe.
It didn't mean they were buddies. It meant the US was signaling a "new direction."
Basically, the current administration is betting on a "realist" approach. They aren't trying to be allies; they're trying to stop being enemies. There’s a huge difference. An ally shares your values and your enemies. Russia and the US still disagree on almost everything—from how the internet should be run to who should own the North Pole.
But they are talking. A lot.
The New START Deadline: The Last Thread
One of the biggest reasons people keep asking about this relationship is the New START Treaty.
This is the last major nuclear arms control agreement between the two superpowers. It’s been on life support for years. Russia "suspended" it in 2023, which basically meant they stopped letting US inspectors look at their nukes.
Right now, as we sit in early 2026, the treaty is literally days away from expiring on February 5, 2026.
- The Proposal: Vladimir Putin suggested a one-year extension back in September.
- The US Response: There’s been a lot of "maybe" coming from Washington.
- The Stakes: If this expires, there will be zero—and I mean zero—legal limits on how many nuclear warheads these two can have for the first time in nearly 50 years.
If they sign an extension this month, does that make them allies? No. It makes them two people in a room together who both agree that blowing up the planet is a bad business move.
Why People Think an Alliance is Happening
The confusion usually comes from the "Florida Diplomacy" we saw at the end of 2025.
President Zelenskyy met with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago in late December. Simultaneously, there have been back-channel talks with Moscow. The goal? Ending the war in Ukraine.
Because the US is pushing for a "peace deal" that might involve Ukraine giving up some land, critics say the US is "siding" with Russia. But in the minds of the current US negotiators, they aren't helping Russia; they're "liquidating a bad investment."
It’s business, not friendship.
The Friction Points That Won't Go Away
Even if they settle the Ukraine issue, you can't just ignore the rest of the map. Look at Venezuela.
Just this month, the US captured Maduro in Caracas. Russia was furious. Why? Because Russia has massive oil interests there. They have a "shadow fleet" of tankers that use Venezuelan and Iranian ports to bypass Western sanctions.
You can't be "allies" with someone while you’re actively dismantling their economic side-hustles in the Western Hemisphere.
Then there's the Oreshnik missile. Russia has been testing new, terrifying tech that doesn't fall under old treaties. The US is countered by moving more assets into the "sphere of influence" in the Pacific and even Greenland.
The Reality of 2026: Competition Over Conflict
If you want to understand the relationship, stop looking for "friend" or "enemy." Start looking at "transactional partners."
The US is currently moving toward an "America First" posture that sees the old NATO alliances as too expensive and the old rivalry with Russia as too distracting. They want to focus on China. To do that, they need Russia to at least stay quiet.
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Russia's current situation:
The Russian economy is in a weird spot. Interest rates are through the roof—over 16%. Their military is exhausted. They need a break.
The US current situation:
The administration wants to lower global oil prices and exit foreign wars.
When both sides want the same thing for different reasons, it looks like an alliance. It’s actually just a temporary alignment of interests.
What This Means for You
So, is us allied with russia? Still no. But the "enemy" label is being peeled off and replaced with "difficult neighbor we have to deal with."
If you are following this for investment reasons or just because the news is terrifying, here is the bottom line:
- Watch the February 5th Nuclear Deadline: If they don't extend New START, expect a massive spike in defense spending and global anxiety.
- Monitor Oil Prices: If the US and Russia cooperate on energy, gas prices might drop, but it will come at a high diplomatic cost with Europe.
- European Fracture: Keep an eye on Poland and the Baltic states. They are terrified of this "normalization." If the US gets closer to Russia, the US might lose its actual allies in Europe.
Next time someone tells you the US and Russia are becoming allies, remind them that allies don't point 5,000 nukes at each other. They’re just trying to find a way to coexist without the world ending, and in 2026, that’s about as good as it gets.
The next step for anyone tracking this is to monitor the official Bilateral Consultative Commission (BCC) updates regarding the New START treaty. If those meetings resume in the next two weeks, we’re looking at a period of "strategic stability," not friendship. If they don't, 2026 is going to be a very loud year.