"The sudden and rapidly evolving warming of relations between Moscow and Washington has come as a significant surprise, leaving some segments of the Russian elite bewildered and perplexed, disrupting the long-standing narrative of Russian propaganda. While some are congratulating each other and dusting off their Visa and Mastercard cards, others are warning of a trap set by the American deep state," the publication states.
Its sources point out that Trump's approach to the war in Ukraine and relations with Moscow has "shocked" Russia.
"The most difficult position has been faced by the bosses and staff of state propaganda in the Kremlin and on state television, who tirelessly tell millions of Russians that a sinister plot by Washington is behind all of Russia's troubles," The Moscow Times reports.
A person "involved in the ideological planning" of the Kremlin told journalists that the "worldview" constructed over many years by the expensive machinery of Russian propaganda has now been disrupted.
"We had it all brilliantly simple: the Washington regional committee – enemies. Europe – satellites, puppets, lacking their own agency, acting on orders from the U.S. [...] However, now everything seems to be the opposite: the new U.S. administration has begun a dialogue with Moscow, while the 'puppets' still insist on their support for [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky and Ukrainian resistance to Russia," the media relays the words of its sources.
"The change in propaganda concept" has begun to manifest publicly, notes The Moscow Times.
As an example, the publication cited a show on the federal channel "Russia 1," where Kremlin-affiliated political technologist Yevgeny Minchenko stated that "the idea of some united Anglo-Saxons, from whom all troubles arise, has turned out to be unconvincing and unproductive."
A source for The Moscow Times claims that in Russia, there is now "very close and high-level" monitoring to ensure that "offensive gestures towards the new U.S. president are not allowed."
At the same time, there are opinions in Russia that the actions of the American administration represent a game not in Moscow's favor.
"Trump is a talented artist and skilled player; he tactically lures us into a long-prepared scenario of intoxication, followed by suppression and weakening of Russia. The intrigues of the Americans with NATO and the EU are also a game and the result of a coordinated policy. They cannot be trusted; we must continue to promote our own interests," one Russian diplomat told The Moscow Times.