In a move that has startled allies and enraged critics, Donald Trump is reportedly “seriously considering” an unprecedented political step just days before his scheduled face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin — a summit already fraught with tension as fears of a global conflict intensify. According to multiple senior aides speaking to The New York Times, the former president has been privately discussing a maneuver so aggressive that even some members of his own inner circle have warned it could be interpreted as a direct challenge to NATO and U.S. intelligence agencies.

The exact nature of the move remains tightly guarded, but insiders told Politico it involves a public declaration that would “fundamentally reshape” America’s negotiating posture with Russia — and possibly fracture decades of bipartisan foreign policy consensus. The deliberations come as the White House, still under Biden’s leadership, has warned of “severe consequences” if Russia continues its aggressive military buildup near NATO borders, a threat that BBC News says is being monitored hour by hour by Western intelligence.

“It’s not just about optics — this could redefine how the United States approaches security in Eastern Europe for a generation,” said one former National Security Council official who spoke to The Guardian. “If he does what he’s talking about, it will send shockwaves from Brussels to Moscow.”

Social media erupted late Friday after the rumor surfaced on Twitter, where political analyst David Frum wrote that the decision, if true, would amount to “the boldest pre-summit maneuver by any U.S. leader in modern history.” His post was retweeted thousands of times, with one user bluntly stating, “This is how wars start — and how they’re avoided.”

Hearing chatter from DC circles: Trump may announce a policy shift toward Russia BEFORE sitting down with Putin. If true, this is unprecedented. #WW3 #Trump— David Frum (@davidfrum) August 9, 2025

Complicating matters, senior Kremlin aides have already been hinting through Russian state media that Putin intends to arrive at the meeting with his own “surprise initiative.” Western diplomats told Reuters they fear a mutual escalation of rhetoric could create a dangerous cycle of one-upmanship before any formal talks begin.

For Trump, the meeting carries enormous personal stakes. As CNN notes, this will be his first direct encounter with Putin since leaving office, and it comes amid mounting criticism from Republican rivals who have accused him of being “too soft” on the Russian leader. Supporters counter that Trump’s unorthodox style is exactly what’s needed to break the current stalemate between East and West, citing his 2018 Helsinki summit as proof he can command the world stage.