The US is escalating tensions with Russia to project power.

(Baonghean.vn) - Analysts believe that the escalating tensions between the US and Russia this week are due to Washington's efforts to appease anti-Russian forces domestically, but the confrontation between the two former Cold War adversaries will not cross the red line.

US President Donald Trump is facing the strongest pressure from his domestic political opponents. Photo: AP

Over the weekend, the US-led international coalition shot down a Syrian Su-22 bomber, and the Russian Ministry of Defense suspended a military hotline for air communications with the US.

On June 19th, Russia deployed Su-27 fighter jets to intercept two consecutive US RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea, and Moscow accused one of the aircraft of provoking the Russian plane during the interception.

Subsequently, on June 20, the US Treasury Department imposed additional sanctions on Russia related to its activities in Ukraine, blacklisting 38 individuals and entities, while Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov canceled consultations aimed at mending bilateral relations with his US counterpart Thomas Shannon.

Vladimir Sotnikov, a senior researcher at the Moscow-based Institute of World Economy and International Relations, stated: "Currently, Russia-US relations are at an extremely low point." He warned that Moscow and Washington are nearing a new Cold War.

Expert Sotnikov stated: “US President Donald Trump is under the strongest pressure from his domestic political opponents. He needs to shift his focus from domestic issues to foreign ones and present himself as an effective leader capable of making tough decisions.”

The upcoming summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump is expected to be a purely ceremonial diplomatic meeting. Photo: AP

Since taking office, President Trump has faced a series of accusations from his opponents that he may have secret ties to Russia.

According to Sotnikov, the recent increase in tension with Moscow is intended to demonstrate Washington's intention to act from the position of a stronger party. However, he believes that the increased tension will not lead to dangerous incidents that could have unpredictable consequences.

Sotnikov believes that the upcoming summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his American counterpart Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany, in July will be a brief and purely ceremonial meeting.

Prospects for de-escalation could be discussed, as well as steps toward normalizing bilateral relations. However, Sotnikov stated: "These steps will not be realized because the current bilateral relations are too complex and complicated."

Lan Ha

(According to THX)