Why Would Putin Meet With Trump? Does Lame-Duck President of US Have Anything to Offer?
Let's focus on another very interesting story: today's article in American The Wall Street Journal. The article says that the White House has after all started the preparation for the meeting of Trump and Putin. Of course, this has become one of the top world news. In fact, to recap, as early as last week at the St.Petersburg Economic Forum, Putin himself noted that Russia and America actually did have something to discuss. Though it's Putin, and he didn't call for action. Instead, he waited for the Americans to make hints today.
But supposedly, the article in The Wall Street Journal may be part of the same tactics of threats in a velvet glove. However, it won't work with Putin, which is signaled to Washington not only by the Russians, but also the well-informed Americans who have taken part the recent Primakov Readings in Moscow. Our extended program will feature a more detailed survey, but even now, pay attention to this person, Henry Kissinger's right-hand man. However, we'll start with Russians.
Vyacheslav Nikonov, political scientist, president of the Politika foundation: "A dialogue starts with a dialogue. The main problem for us now is to find the side. President Trump has been fulfilling his election pledges except for one: to restore relations with Russia. It's not only about the lack of good will, the thing is that this dialogue isn't actively backed by the American political elite. Moreover, this dialogue amidst the investigations into the activities of Trump and his administration is just politically dangerous. That's why we are largely prisoners of the American domestic political landscape".
Thomas Graham, political scientist, director of the Kissinger Associates: "There is a lack of trust, there is a lack of confidence, especially from the American side. If we sat down to talk with the Russian side, then it should be a conversation based on the mutual understanding of the problems. Indeed, there is a lack of such trust between the countries".
Alexander Dynkin, president of the IMEMO of the Russian Academy of Sciences: "First of all, I think that the two leaders should make a statement that a nuclear war cannot be won. Secondly, I would specify the fields of common interest, though they will be small today. These are counter-terrorism, arms control, if the Americans settle for it".
Fyodor Lukyanov, political scientist, Chairman of the Presidium of the Council for Foreign and Defense Policy: "For a long time both we and mostly the West have denied fundamental changes. It was all considered to be temporary problems, after which we'd return to the good, right policies of the 1990's and 2000's. Now we understand this won't happen, there'll be something new. But that's at least the first step".
Vitaliy Naumkin, director of the Institute of Oriental Studies at the RAS: "I think, they would, first of all, discuss bilateral relations, strategic and military issues, sanctions, economy, speaking about the Russian side, they'd discuss Russian concerns, first of all, it is the noose, the ring, which is tightening around Russia".
Fyodor Voytolovskiy, deputy head of the IMEMO at the RAS: "First of all, we should seriously discuss the prospects for the arms control system. It is in decline. The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty terminates in 2021. The American side doesn't express the readiness and will to continue the dialogue in this field".