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When President Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin meet next month in Finland to discuss their differences, it is their similarities that matter most.
Trump claimed to have close relations with Putin. to hear – and the reluctance to criticize him has long worried critics of the Russian autocrat, concerns that have deepened while Trump has shown a predilection for some of the government tactics used by the Russian president.
The two men sought to undermine institutions considered threatening or disloyal, encouraged the suspicion of anyone watching their actions, belittled the opponents for tactical advantage, embraced the value of a show and questioned the profit international institutions that they have portrayed as acting against the interests of their country.
There is no comparison between Trump's policy and Putin's most draconian actions. But they worry about Trump's affinity for the Russian leader and their similar instincts could lead the US president to make concessions to the summit on issues such as arms control, the military alliance of hated NATO by Putin and Russian activities in Ukraine "It would be enough for Trump to say something bad about NATO when he is with Putin in front of the press," said Alexander Vershbow, a former US ambassador to Russia and NATO in the bill. Administrations of Clinton and George W. Bush. "It would be bad."
The two leaders have already met twice, but each time on the sidelines of major international meetings, and this will be their first autonomous summit. The White House and the Kremlin simultaneously announced Thursday that Trump and Putin will meet on July 16 in Helsinki, while Trump is in Europe for the annual rally of NATO leaders.
[After ‘diplomatic equivalent of a multiple-car pileup,’ U.S. allies brace for NATO summit]
Trump will also make his first presidential visit to Britain the same trip. By adding Putin's meeting, Trump symbolically elevated the US-Russia relationship to a kind of parity with the US relationship with its closest ally and with the 70-year-old NATO Transatlantic Partnership
. highlight recent tensions with trade allies and US leadership role in the world, his meeting with Putin could highlight the similarities between the two men who concern their critics.
"It takes a much more transactional kind -summ-game of foreign relations and trade," Vershbow said of Trump. "Certainly, the zero sum is a term that you can almost always apply to Putin's vision on world affairs. "
Their meeting will also highlight the investigation of Special Adviser Robert S. Mueller III on Russia's interference in the 2016 Trump elections expressed his willingness to speak Vladimir Putin saying that Russia was not seeking to influence the elections despite the findings of the US intelligence community, while qualifying Mueller's investigation as a "witch hunt."
Some of the critics Trump said his shadowing at the Justice Department investigating his campaign has hints at the attitude The state is me – the state is me – that Putin will appreciate For Trump, I think he's thinking somehow that the legal system should work for him – not him the president of the United States, but him, Donald Trump, "said Kelly Magsamen, a former high-ranking Pentagon. and the help of the National Security Council. "He does not think of democracy as an institution.He thinks of the presidency like him."
Just like Putin, Trump encourages his most loyal followers to suspect bias in the exam presidential actions and refers criticism to critics.
"Russia continues to say that they had nothing to do with interference in our election! Where is the DNC server, and why Shady James B. Comey and now dishonored FBI agents have not they not looked closely? Why not look at Hillary / Russia? So many questions, so much corruption! "Trump wrote Thursday on Twitter. Comey is the former director of the FBI; DNC refers to the National Democratic Committee, while Hillary is a reference to Hillary Clinton.
Trump attacked Mueller himself, asking in a separate tweet "When will Bob Mueller list his Conflicts of Interest, why has it taken so long?" top of his $ 22,000,000 report? "
The two leaders also like to use the spectacle of big events to showcase their leadership – something that could be exposed in Helsinki.
Trump praised the implementation World Cup scene this month while talking about the 2026 competition taking place in North America
"I think the place was fantastic. They really showed something very special, "said Trump on Wednesday, referring to Russia." I fought very hard to get it in the United States, Mexico and Canada, as you do. Probably have heard. "
The two men also view alliances and cooperative decision-making with deep suspicion, and there is clearly no affinity with democratic values," said Mr. Magsamen. currently vice-president for national security at the Liberal Center for American Progress. "Trump is fundamentally out of touch with democratic values and why they are important."
Putin largely silenced a once-turbulent political opposition and marginalized independent media, his government is accused of having falsified the elections and imprisoned and killed opponents.
"Putin is totally cynical about Western democracy, checks and balances, the rule of law. He thinks that everything is just a facade, and our system is as corrupt and cynical as his system, "said Vershbow.
Trump has publicly shown a lack of interest in the actions Putin's hardships and he alarmed some of his advisers Putin in March for his electoral victory
For the summit, Trump hopes to establish a friendly relationship with Putin, dismissing the idea that he should adopt a an accusatory approach to a man whom he has sometimes praised.In Putin he sees someone with whom he can do business, and he personally wants to mark one of the most important and difficult US foreign policy relations.
"I said from the outset: to talk with Russia and with China and with everyone is a very good thing," he said. Trump on Wednesday about his next meeting with Putin. "It's good for the world.It's good for us.It's good for everyone."
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