This article appeared on Aspenia Online on July 12, 2018.
The summit meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Helsinki on July 16 offers an important opportunity to repair the badly damaged relationship between Russia and the United States. A successful outcome would be beneficial to European nations as well, since it could substantially reduce overall East-West tensions. Success, however, depends on President Trump having realistic expectations and not making demands that have no chance of being fulfilled.
Unfortunately, sentiment in the United States in the lead up to the summit is not encouraging. Trump's partisan opponents, as well as the usual flock of congenital hawks, are already pressuring him not to show
any inclination to compromise with Russia. Indeed, some critics act as though his
mere willingness to meet with Putin shows poor judgment and an appeasement mentality. That attitude
surfaced as well when President Trump held a face-to-face meeting with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un.
It is an unhealthy, unrealistic view of foreign affairs. A willingness to meet and negotiate in good faith with foreign adversaries is a crucial aspect of successful diplomacy, and Washington has achieved important successes by doing so. Without such policy flexibility, the United States would never have concluded important arms control agreements with the Soviet Union or normalized relations with the People's Republic of China - breakthroughs that benefited both U.S. interests and the welfare of humanity.
Comment: This is a much more reasonable approach to the Putin-Trump summit than we normally read on Western media. However, we should factor in that:
- Ukraine is currently under the grip of a corrupt, neonazi-sympathizing regime. This is another reason for Russia not to give back Crimea, which overwhelmingly voted to go back to Russia. Any support for the regime in Kiev comes directly from the pressure of neocons and warhawks in or around the White House.
- President Bashar al-Assad has been legitimately chosen by his own people, and in spite of any criticisms against his administration, he has managed to successfully save his country from terrorists (with the help of Russia). The only reason for Trump to seek his departure is that he is trying to please his Zionist sponsors and Israeli 'friends'.
It is interesting that Trump wants to talk to Putin alone. Is it because he realizes that he cannot trust some U.S. officials who would like to see his relation with Russia fail?
Comment: From these seats, it seems clear that this entire "scandal" is completely fabricated in order to smear Rep. Jim Jordan. Being outspoken, Jordan likely has a lot of enemies who would like to see him silenced, especially considering he's thinking about a bid for House Speaker. The sad thing is that it might work.
15 wrestlers have come forward to defend Jim Jordan. From The Political Insider: See also: