"A bullet whizzed past my ear, and I heard God": how the assassination attempt on Trump shifted the course of the U.S. and brought it closer to Putin's Russia.

After three years of Russia's full-scale aggression, the new American president Donald Trump is not only choosing to renew contact with Vladimir Putin but also rejecting any ultimatums. He praises the Russian leader for his "efforts in the peace process" and references the universal history of World War II. At the same time, he labels Zelensky a dictator.

Why do Trump and Putin increasingly sound in unison? Is it purely about politics or is it a worldview where ultra-right views, religion, and the desire to be "chosen leaders" intertwine?

This is what "Telegraph" discussed with renowned religious scholar and Doctor of Philosophy Ludmila Filippovich.

"I believed in God, but now I believe much more"

Unlike his predecessor Joe Biden, a devout Catholic, Trump rarely attended church services. Moreover, he has repeatedly been the subject of public "immoral" incidents related to sex.

Among them is the significant scandal involving adult film star Stephanie Clifford, whom the politician allegedly paid for silence about their intimate affair.

However, Trump has now stated that he experienced an event akin to a religious awakening. The 78-year-old man seems to have become more devout after narrowly escaping death last year when a bullet shot hit him in the ear at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.

"God spared my life so that I could return America to greatness," – noted Trump at the inauguration of his second presidential term.

As stated in a comment to "Telegraph" by Ukrainian philosopher and religious scholar Ludmila Filippovich, she has little faith in an instantaneous "enlightenment," although miracles cannot be entirely ruled out.

— For many people, moments of enlightenment do occur when they suddenly receive some message or inner insight. From a religious studies perspective, this doesn't seem like a profound change, but from a religious standpoint – perhaps, — she says.

Ultimately, as reported by Western media, in the first months of his second term, Trump is radically changing the face of the American administration. He is supporting an increasingly conservative direction in politics.

The thrice-married billionaire signed an order this month to establish a "Faith Office" in the White House, which will be led by televangelist Paula White. This is the same White who gained fame in 2020 for her marathon prayer for Trump's victory in the elections, and she is now receiving official status as a spiritual advisor to the president.

Some of the people Trump has chosen to surround himself with in the White House have close ties to radical religious movements. Specifically, the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) — a movement promoting the idea of Christian dominance in politics and public life.

For example, House Speaker, Republican Mike Johnson, has strong ties to individuals associated with the movement. Vice President J.D. Vance, who was baptized as a Catholic at 30, attends town hall meetings and events of the New Apostolic Reformation church. Additionally, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Pam Bond are allegedly connected to this movement.

"Putin and Trump are products of different systems, but both see themselves as messiahs"

The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) was founded by Peter Wagner — an American evangelical theologian who passed away on October 21, 2016, at the age of 86.

Followers of the New Apostolic Reformation proclaim themselves as prophets and apostles tasked with restoring "divine order" in society. They believe that all power should be hierarchical and concentrated in the hands of Christian religious leaders.

Additionally, supporters of NAR often interpret natural disasters as divine punishment for abortions and homosexuality. They view crime, poverty, and racism not as social challenges but as manifestations of devilish forces. This, without a doubt, has nothing to do with the principles of democratic institutions.

Although the New Apostolic Reformation is increasingly spreading in America, a significant portion of conservative Christians view it as a sect, meaning a largely destructive and totalitarian cult.

It is worth noting that many of the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021, when Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Congress building, belonged to churches preaching NAR ideas. They not only supported Trump but believed that God had endowed him with the mission to return the country to the "right" path.

Comparing the ideology of NAR with the state doctrine of Putin's Russia reveals a substantial overlap in core principles.

At the heart of the Russian state ideology lie the ideas of philosopher Ivan Ilyin about "spiritual dictatorship." Putin not only quotes Ilyin – in 2005, he organized the reburial of his ashes in Russia, turning the philosopher into a symbolic inspirer of the new Russian statehood.

Ilyin, like the modern ideologists of NAR, considered democracy to be "evil," undermining the moral foundations of society. He preached the idea of a "divine ruler," gaining power not through elections but through mystical calling. He also openly supported Adolf Hitler.

— I definitely see common traits between them. What surprises me is that they arrived at a similar model of thinking, although they were formed under completely different conditions. Putin is a product of a totalitarian society, raised in the system of Russian despotism. Trump is from democratic, free America. But in the end, they both ended up at a point where critical thinking is absent, and they view themselves almost as a messiah called to change the world, — says Ludmila Filippovich in a conversation with "Telegraph."

"Some Americans are disillusioned with the Democrats' policies"

As Ludmila Filippovich notes, there are no common roots between the ideology of NAR and the philosophical legacy of Ivan Ilyin, but they share similar content in different forms – this is a typical example of how related ideas "float in the air."

— It is not surprising that some ideas emerge in response to specific circumstances. As a sociologist of religion, I see that their emergence is influenced by real life – the social status of the population, the economic situation, material problems. Religion is, in essence, a consequence of the development of social processes, and thus it feels all the crises, conflicts, and changes, the expert believes.

According to her, the main purpose of religion is to provide hope and salvation from trials. And today, these challenges concern not just individuals but the entire world.

— Will humanity plunge into chaos or manage to self-organize and emerge from the crisis? This question is relevant not only for our era. Looking at history, we see that periods of prosperity and well-being have predictably been followed by decline and crises. But after every fall, there has been a rebirth. Such cyclical fluctuations have accompanied humanity throughout history, notes Ludmila Filippovich.

Moreover, as the religious researcher states, there is nothing fundamentally new for Christianity in the New Apostolic Reformation movement in the U.S.

— Evangelical movements have always arisen as a protest or opposition to the current state of affairs. Back in the first third of the 19th century, such movements began to take shape, and by the mid-century, they had already become institutions. At that time, attempts were made to unite Lutherans, Calvinists, and Zwinglians into one evangelical church, — reminds the Ukrainian professor.

According to her, a similar situation is observed today.

— Some Americans are disillusioned with the Democrats' policies, feeling that the course set by Obama and Biden does not serve their interests. The idea of equality for all – regardless of origin, race, or status – has led to the perception that the majority of Americans feel discriminated against in favor of minorities, — says Ludmila Filippovich.

It is against this backdrop that Trump emerges with a rhetoric of the "Kingdom of God on Earth," which does not require waiting for the Second Coming of Christ. He effectively promises voters that by voting for him, they will secure ideal living conditions right now, akin to those described in the Book of Revelation to John the Theologian.

But not all Americans are thrilled with this approach, believes the professor.

— We already see protests and black flags symbolizing a rejection of this course. Not everyone supports Trump, although his voters form a mathematical majority. The question is just how long this trust and optimism regarding his political path will last in the future, — concludes the expert.

Certainly, when two nuclear states begin to be guided by messianic ideas of "divine governance," it poses a threat not only to their