Russian President Vladimir Zhirinovsky bought 132 bottles of champagne to toast, in November 2016 celebrating Donald Trump’s election victory, which he thought would be a new chapter in U.S.-Russian relations. Zhirinovsky wasn’t alone in his excitement.

At the time, there were high hopes in Moscow that Trump’s presidency would lead to the removal of U.S. sanctions against Russia and possibly even recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Konstantin Remchukov, the editor of Nezavisimaya Gazeta, pointed out that Trump’s lack of criticism of Russia’s human rights record made him seem like a potential ally to the Russian leadership. However, those high hopes quickly faded. By the end of his presidency, Trump had imposed some of the most severe sanctions on Russia, leading to widespread disappointment in Moscow.

Now, with the possibility of Trump running for a second term, Russian officials are more reserved. Unlike the enthusiastic support seen in 2016, the Kremlin’s approach is more cautious. President Vladimir Putin even made a lighthearted “endorsement” of Kamala Harris, praising her laugh, though many interpreted this as Kremlin trolling. Nevertheless, it is clear that some of Trump’s rhetoric, such as his criticism of U.S. military aid to Ukraine and his refusal to take a strong stance against Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, aligns with Moscow’s interests. In contrast, Harris has emphasized that supporting Ukraine is in America’s strategic interest and has labeled Putin as a “murderous dictator.”

Russian state media, while critical of U.S. politicians, has particularly disparaged Harris, even suggesting she would be better suited to hosting a cooking show than being in politics. A contested election outcome, especially one leading to chaos in the U.S., could also be seen as beneficial to the Kremlin, as it would likely distract America from international affairs, including the ongoing war in Ukraine.

U.S.-Russian relations have deteriorated significantly over the last few presidencies. Barack Obama’s time in office saw a strain in the relationship, which worsened under Trump, despite initial expectations. Under Joe Biden, the relationship has hit new lows, with Russian Ambassador Anatoly Antonov remarking that relations are now “falling apart.” Much of this is due to the Biden administration’s firm response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, including a wave of sanctions and substantial military aid to Kyiv.

It’s hard to imagine now that just a few decades ago, the U.S. and Russia were working as partners to reduce global threats. In the 1980s, the relationship between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev led to historic agreements to reduce nuclear weapons. These efforts symbolized a brief period of cooperation between the superpowers. One unique symbol of U.S.-Russian friendship from that era is a sculpture of a mother duck and ducklings in Moscow’s Novodevichy Park, a replica of a piece from Boston Public Gardens that was gifted as a token of goodwill.

Today, however, sentiments have shifted. While some Russians, like angler Igor in Novodevichy Park, express anger toward the U.S., seeing it as an eternal adversary, others take a more nuanced view. Svetlana, for example, spoke of her desire for peace and friendship but noted that her friend in the U.S. was now afraid to contact her, unsure whether the lack of free speech was a problem in America or Russia. Another Russian, Nikita, reflected a different perspective, preferring Trump for the stability he perceived during Trump’s presidency, noting that there were no major wars at that time.

Despite the growing rift between the two nations, there are still some who hope for a future without competition over military might. Marina, for example, expressed her openness to a woman becoming president in Russia, acknowledging that it would bring about change, though not necessarily for better or worse—just something different.

The 2024 U.S. election is being closely watched in Russia, with varying opinions on the potential outcomes and what they might mean for both U.S.-Russian relations and the future of the conflict in Ukraine. As Russians navigate their complex views on America, one thing is clear: the next U.S. president will play a significant role in shaping the future of this fraught relationship.