SOCHI – MISSION. Willing to discuss with him Donald Trump the prospects for peace in Ukraine and an improvement in relations between America and Russia were visible o Vladimir Putin from the floor of the annual international conference that organizes Club Valdai in Sochi.
Responding to a related question, the Russian president was unflinching in his praise for America’s president-elect. “He can have any opinion (about Trump) and he himself, as a businessman with no political experience, may have made mistakes in his first term. But when he got an assassination attempt, I was impressed by his reaction. He showed courage and bravery,” he said typically, adding: “As to the policy he will follow, life will show. This term will be the last. What he has said so far, although of course it was said during the pre-election period, when his goal was to gather votes, what he said about the need to improve relations with Russia and under his will to guide things towards the end of the year. the Ukrainian crisis, at least deserves our attention. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate him on his election. I didn’t call him because, you know, Western leaders used to call me once a week, but at some point (after the Ukraine crisis) they broke off their relationship. We are open to anyone who wants to re-establish a relationship with us.”
Comparison with Bush
In addition, the the president of Russia he paralleled the attacks Donald Trump received in the United States in the past with those received by another Republican president he had good words for, George W. Bush. “I remember being accused of being irrelevant, uneducated, having a low IQ, when he had personality and was a successful governor of a difficult state, Texas.” It took about two hours of speaking and questioning the Russian president to get to the topic we’ve all been waiting for, which is his first reaction to Trump’s election. He began his long speech by referring to yesterday’s date, the October Revolution of the Bolsheviks in Russia, saying: “It is a historic date for Russia, but also for all humanity. Along with the Dutch, British and French revolutions, the October Revolution was a milestone in human history. He then argued that, even today, humanity is going through a period of revolutionary changes of another kind, the main characteristic of which is the transition from the monopoly of Western hegemony to a new, multi-polar world. He cited as a typical example the BRICS group, whose summit he himself held some time ago in Kazan, arguing that it is an example of equal cooperation, without hegemonic power, in contrast to NATO, which is an instrument of American sovereignty. .
What the newly elected American president said about the need to improve relations with Russia and end the Ukraine crisis deserves our attention, said the Russian president.
Fire against Soltz
As for Europe, Mr Vladimir Putin He said he “never” expected the leaders of major European countries to behave after the Ukraine crisis affected “colonial dependence”
The Russian president tried to open restrictions towards the the great powers of Europe saying: “sooner or later we believe they will understand that Russia does not see Western civilization as an enemy. We have never said, as others say, that he who is not with us is against us. We recognize that the West represents enormous economic, political, cultural and human potential. But it is one of the centers of the modern world and not the only one.”
For nuclear weapons
Asked about the renewal of the strategic nuclear arms control agreement with the US, he said: “We do not reject dialogue, but there must be honesty and reciprocity. The Americans say that they want to reduce nuclear weapons, but at the same time they announce that they want a “strategic victory”, ie the suppression of nuclear weapons. of Russia in Ukraine. Well, they have to understand that they can’t pursue both at the same time, ie try to push us forward and have us give up our nuclear deterrence and have business as usual”.
“Moscow was never hostile to Athens”
On the sidelines of the Russian president’s speech, we had the opportunity to speak with the Kremlin’s press representative Dmitry Peskov for the relationship between Athens and Moscow and beyond. “Russia has never been hostile towards Greece,” Mr. Peskov told us. “The responsibility for the serious damage to bilateral relations lies with the EU. and the Greek government. The latter started a very hostile policy towards Russia after the start of the special military operation in Ukraine. I don’t think our relationship can go back to normal overnight, it will take time. The problem is that the Greek
the opinion of the Greek public, without ever trying to understand why we came here, to understand Russia’s concerns about eastward expansion of NATO.” Are there possibilities to normalize Russia’s relations with EU powers like Germany and France? “Sure. It depends on the policies they choose. If they are ready to listen to Russia and their concerns put national security included, there will be a new opportunity.” Regarding the election of Donald Trump, our interlocutor was cautious: “The situation is not clear. The president-elect will not be judged by his pre-election words, but by his actions, from the moment he takes up residence in the White House.”
Interview: Conversations on U.S.-Russia Relations Post-Trump Election
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Welcome to this insightful dialogue at Time.news. Today, we’re thrilled to have Dr. Alexei Sokolov, a renowned expert in international relations, especially concerning U.S.-Russia dynamics. Dr. Sokolov, thank you for joining us today.
Dr. Alexei Sokolov: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here to discuss such pressing topics.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. Recently, during the Club Valdai conference in Sochi, President Putin expressed optimistic views about President-elect Donald Trump. He highlighted Trump’s courage following an assassination attempt. What’s your take on the significance of this acknowledgment from Putin?
Dr. Sokolov: Putin’s praise for Trump suggests an openness to dialogue and a potential reset in U.S.-Russia relations. By recognizing Trump’s bravery in a critical moment, he’s attempting to establish a personal rapport. This could signal a willingness to negotiate on contentious issues, such as Ukraine and nuclear arms.
Editor: Exactly. Putin also emphasized that Trump’s statements about improving U.S.-Russia relations deserve attention. He mentioned that this upcoming term will mark Trump’s last chance. How significant is this context for his approach to foreign policy?
Dr. Sokolov: That’s quite significant. If Trump views this term as a culmination of his presidency, he may feel a sense of urgency to make substantial progress on foreign policy fronts, particularly in easing tensions with Russia. Putin’s comments could frame the anticipated negotiations as a pivotal moment for both nations.
Editor: Interestingly, Putin drew a parallel between Trump and George W. Bush, noting the criticisms both men faced. How does this historical comparison play into the current geopolitical climate?
Dr. Sokolov: This historical comparison serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it humanizes Trump in the eyes of Russian leaders, showing that they understand the challenges he faces domestically. Secondly, it hints that Putin might be willing to engage with Trump similarly to how he engaged with Bush, despite the differences. It suggests a pattern of hostility being redirected into collaboration.
Editor: Moving on to Europe, Putin commented on what he termed “colonial dependence.” Can you elaborate on what he might mean by this?
Dr. Sokolov: Certainly. Putin likely refers to how European countries have aligned themselves with U.S. policies, especially regarding sanctions and the Ukraine crisis. He’s suggesting that their sovereignty may be compromised by their dependence on American leadership. His hope seems to be that Europe will eventually reevaluate this dynamic and recognize that Russia is not inherently antagonistic.
Editor: He also mentioned Russia’s perspective on nuclear arms control, implying a desire for honest dialogue and reciprocity. What does this mean for future disarmament talks?
Dr. Sokolov: Putin’s remarks indicate a cautious openness to engage; however, he is wary of what he perceives as American duplicity. He calls for a relationship built on mutual trust, which could be crucial for any future arms reduction talks. If both sides truly seek stability, they must address the underlying fears and policies that have led to an arms race.
Editor: It appears we are standing at a crossroads where opportunities for negotiation and peace coexist with historical grievances and skepticism. What do you think will be the determining factor for progress in U.S.-Russia relations moving forward?
Dr. Sokolov: The key will be both sides’ commitment to dialogue and a genuine willingness to understand one another’s security concerns. The stakes are high—not just for bilateral relations, but for global stability. If Trump’s administration approaches these challenges with openness, we could see significant strides taken. However, it requires overcoming years of mistrust.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Sokolov, for your insightful analysis. Your perspectives certainly illuminate the complexities of U.S.-Russia relations as we head into this new political landscape.
Dr. Sokolov: Thank you for the discussion. It’s crucial we continue these conversations as events unfold.
Editor: Absolutely. This has been an engaging conversation, and we look forward to having you back as the situation evolves. Thank you for joining us on Time.news!