Trump-Putin meeting is a test of bilateral relations

(Baonghean.vn)- Experts say the bilateral meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on July 7 will be the first test of whether President Trump can improve the currently tense relationship with Moscow.

Mr. Darrell West, a political analyst at the Brookings Institution (USA), said: "The meeting between President Trump and his counterpart Putin is an important test for the relationship of the new Washington administration with Moscow."

The Trump-Putin meeting is a test of bilateral relations. Photo: AP

Indeed, there are many sources of tension between the two world powers, such as the US accusations of Russia interfering in the 2016 US presidential election. The war in Syria, the role of Iran, and rising tensions on the Korean peninsula are also issues causing tension between Moscow and Washington.

“It’s hard to make progress on all of these issues, but everyone is looking forward to what issues will be highlighted and whether there are any points of agreement,” West said.

Another expert, Nile Gardiner, director of the Margaret Thatcher Center for Liberal Studies at the Heritage Foundation, said: “It will be an important test for US President Trump, facing a much more experienced opponent,” referring to the fact that Russian President Putin has participated in many similar meetings over the decades.

“President Putin sees these conversations as a game of chess, with lots of pieces moving around on the board,” Gardiner said.

Referring to President Trump's visit to Poland, Mr. West emphasized that the two American and Polish leaders have many similarities, and mentioned the historically confrontational relationship between Russia and Poland.

Former US National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger sees the Trump-Putin meeting as an opportunity to mend bilateral relations. Photo: Reuters

“If Russia challenges its neighbors, Trump is more likely to take a tougher stance against it,” West said. “He wants to build a better relationship with Moscow, but he knows the past and knows there is a lot to overcome.”

It is expected that many issues will be discussed by both Russian and US leaders in their first face-to-face meeting, including tensions on the Korean peninsula, the migration crisis in Europe, and the war in Syria.

Another issue is the crisis in Ukraine, and Russia will want the US to limit the sanctions imposed on the country, although according to expert Gardiner, Moscow will not make any compromises. Mr. Gardiner hopes: "The US President will still maintain his position on the issue of sanctions against Russia when he meets his counterpart Putin"./.

Lan Ha

(According to THX)