For Russia, Trump creates more problems than it solves

MOSCOW – Having Donald Trump at the White House looks more and more like a liability for the Kremlin rather than an badet. But do not expect President Vladimir Putin to say that out loud.

The official Russian badessment of Trump's summit with Putin is optimistic. In his first public comment on this, Putin said Thursday that he was "successful".

This contrasts sharply with the rain of criticism that the American president had to face at home. And as the days go by and Trump's comments about Monday's summit become more and more contradictory, Moscow seems to be slowly losing the hope of a thaw in Russia-United States . the links under Trump.

Putin does not blame Trump for this. "Some forces are trying to disavow the results of the Helsinki meeting", and hinder progress on what they discussed, such as limiting their nuclear arsenals or ending the war in Syria, Putin said.

. During a meeting at the Foreign Ministry with the ambbadadors of Russia in other countries, Putin warned them to "take this into account"

. The US-Russia relationship is "worse than during the cold war" "Putin said:" It is naive to think that the problems will be solved in a few hours. "

The Helsinki summit allowed them to start" on the path of positive change, "he said, but added that he was cautious" We'll see how things evolve further ", said Putin, referring to those of the United States trying to prevent any improvement in relations and "placing partisan interests above the national interest."

debate in Washington is unthinkable in Russia, where Putin has never faced a real political opposition and leads a country that has never experienced a democratic transition of power

while he and Trump seem to be cut off from the same fabric, they come from very different worlds

In public Russian officials have consistently praised the summit and criticism of opponents of Trump, while exercising caution before targeting Trump himself. [19659005] Behind the scenes, however, some members of the Putin both Democratic opponents and Republicans. He made conflicting statements as to whether he believes Russia interfered in the US elections of 2016.

"He made things worse," said Gabuev.

Trump tweeted Thursday that his critics in the media are pushing so hard. I hate the fact that I will probably have good relations with Putin. "

Indeed, when Trump came to power, many Russians hoped that he would pave the way for the lifting of sanctions and at the end of years of tension.But now, said Gabuev," if this bet on Trump in the long run is a smart one is hard to see. "

In a possible dig at Trump's unpredictable presidency, Putin praised Thursday" Russia consistent, responsible, independent Putin has had good and bad things to say about Trump in a broad speech on foreign policy.

The Russian leader praised Trump's mediation efforts in North Korea, but criticized his protectionist trade policies and his decision to fire. He also lambasted NATO and Europe dominated by the United States, stating that Russia would counteract with an "equivalent response" to the bases of the alliance near the borders of Russia and Europe. 39; other "aggressive measures". He did not elaborate.

Russian politicians also criticized proposals by US lawmakers to question Trump 's interpreter of the Helsinki summit on topics they were discussing privately.

At his joint press conference with Putin, Trump said that they were discussing Syria. "but was vague about the outcome." The Russian Defense Ministry said it was ready to implement what it called agreements on increased cooperation with the US military in Syria: But US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis has given no public indication since the summit plans to work more closely with the Russian military in Syria

Konstantin Kosachev, head of the upper chamber of the foreign affairs committee of the Russian parliament said: questioning the translator about what has been said in private creates a dangerous precedent that threatens "the very idea of ​​diplomacy," according to Russian news agencies. [19659005] Kosachev also said that if the summit turns out to be a failure, it will not be "There is no doubt about the ability and willingness of the Russian side to achieve the results of this summit, but there is a doubt on the side "It is linked to its ability to fulfill these agreements, which, in my opinion, is artificially restricted by the US Congress and some US agencies, not to mention the intelligence." Kosachev adds:

If the speech of Putin to the emissaries raised serious problems, the Foreign Ministry, known by its Russian acronym MID, seized the opportunity to make a sardonic joke

.A long line of ambbadadors heading to the speech of Putin at the ministry headquarters The legend, accompanied by a flashing emoji, said: "When you can not wait to meddle in elections, Russian diplomats will work at MID."