What does Trump and Putin want from their historic summit

Strobe Talbott Distinguished Fellow in Residence at the Brookings Institution and Former Deputy Secretary of the United States, 1994-2001

Before the US Presidents and Russian meet in Helsinki, It is essential that Mr Trump meets with his foreign, military and intelligence policy team. The goal would be to align its goals with those of its best advisors and, above all, with the hopes and concerns of North Atlantic allies and virtual allies like Finland itself.

We know what Putin is hoping to get out of the top: a result that further weakens Western democracies while deepening the cracks of NATO, the disintegration of "the political West" and the leaning of the West. continued abnegation of America's historical role as leader of the Atlantic community and the liberal world order

We can assume that Mr. Putin will pursue this overriding goal: with flattery and singing sirens of a partnership between the two superpowers, now led by powerful champions to "make their country again", while continuing its expansionist policy. cyber-war against democracy. If he succeeds, the meeting could be the low point of Western diplomacy since Munich.

If, however, Trump's handpicked advisers can persuade him to reject Russia's grand strategy of separating the United States from its democracies, it may still be able to convince Putin to cooperate against terrorism and resuscitate talks on nuclear issues and other security issues.

[How Putin’s regime is both authoritarian and incompetent]

Mikhail Troitskiy Dean and Associate Professor, MGIMO School of Government and International Affairs Moscow

Russia (The Kremlin) wants:

1. To demonstrate that despite the pressure and accusations directed against Russia, the world's leading power has no choice but to engage with Moscow
2. ; Explore the possibilities of weakening US sanctions against Russia – if not sanctions against companies and entire sectors of the Russian economy, then at least prohibitions to travel highly symbolic and without assets Impress the American side with Russia's military technology advances and the dangers of weapons control regimes collapse globally to change President Trump's negative attitude toward arms reductions and limitations.

United States (Trump administration)

1. Revenge on the idea that the diplomacy at the top of President Trump can solve longstanding problems that the previous administration could not
2. Persuade the Russia to support US pressure on Iran and – if Trump and Kim Jong A fall Again – severe sanctions against North Korea
3. Solicit the resolution of a major international dispute, such as the fate of the Ukrainian Donbass region or Syrian President Bashar al-Assad

Russia and the United States want: 19659023] Show that under Trump and Putin, any dispute involving the United States, Russia and other countries are more effectively solved than under any Demonstrate that there is no evidence of collusion between Russia and President Trump or that Trump is being manipulated by Russia in any way [19659015].

Mariya Y. Omelicheva Professor of Political Science, University of Kansas

Putin's government wants three "Rs": respect for Russia; the recognition of his rights to pursue an independent foreign and domestic policy without criticism or Western interference; and reintegration into the European area on terms acceptable to Russia.

The Trump administration pursues three "A's": abdication of global responsibilities and morality of the United States; modification of international agreements; and a foreign and domestic policy "America First"

The only common goal of both countries is the destruction of the global liberal order as we know it, albeit for different reasons.

[If Putin has kompromat on Trump, how might he use it?]

Ivan Kurilla Professor of History and International Relations, European University of St. Petersburg

One thing that Trump wants from Russia is to win the "culture wars" servants. He probably imagines Ronald Reagan, changing the image of the USSR from that of an "evil empire" to a friend – and gaining support at home. Any concession from Russia or anything that it could present as a victory for the American public will work for him; the details are not important, he just needs something.

Putin wants one thing: easing sanctions.

Susanne Wengle Assistant Professor of Political Science, University of Notre Dame

19659038] Recognition as a Great Legitimate Power and Reintegration in the G-8

The United States wants:

1. that Russia stop supporting separatists in Ukraine; remove from Crimea; and stop the military exercises in Eastern Europe
2. Russian cooperation in the elimination of Iranian and North Korean nuclear programs
3. The commitment that Russia will stop any interference in politics Interior of the United States

Moscow and Washington

[Remember the Cold War? Putin has brought it back.]

Jordan Gans- Morse Assistant Professor of Political Science, Northwestern University

Putin – and the elite of Russian foreign policy in general – want:

1. security that, from the Russian point of view, can to be achieved by weakening the United States and Europe while ensuring that countries remain friendly (or at least neutral); 19659016] International respect, interpreted cynically as the ability to wreak havoc to such an extent that the most powerful countries can not afford to ignore Russia.
2. What the United States wants is more difficult to discern, especially because Trump's personal goals are different from those advocated by foreign policy experts and key members of his own national security. team. Trump wants a televised show with himself in the lead role and a high-level proclamation of vaguely defined improvements in US-Russian relations.

   At least some of Trump's foreign policy advisers want:

   1. Russia stops interference in the internal affairs of the United States and its European allies
   2. End of Russia's support for separatists in the United States separatist regions of Ukraine
   3. A resolution to the war in Syria that reduces the threat of Islamic terrorists, limits the influence of Iran in the region, and leads to the ouster the Assad regime;
   4. Russian aid in the management of nuclear threats of North Korea and Iran.

   The two want:

   1. to avoid a conflict that could degenerate into a hot war; 19659016] Collaboration against Islamic terrorism.