Details of the phone call between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are still trickling out, with the Kremlin describing the first phone call since Trump’s inauguration as “positive and businesslike,” but neither side offering much in the way of specifics.
It does appear that the discussions centered on planned normalization of US-Russian relations, and to that end both sides were said to be somewhat eager, though it is unclear if the Russian sanctions were discussed, or whether the possibility of lifting them even came up.
Beyond bilateral ties and the need to improve them, the Kremlin reported that the possibility of cooperation in Syria was discussed, along with mutual concerns about North Korea and the situation in East Ukraine. Both sides were very tight-lipped about specifics, however, so it is as yet unknown where they stand on these issues.
President Trump reportedly spoke with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Japanese Premier Abe Shinzo before the phone call with Putin, and it is likely Merkel pushed heavily against the idea of US-Russian ties improving, as German officials have be4en outspokenly pushing for keeping Russia at arm’s length for the sake of NATO unity.
Germany is in tight spot. Internal politics dominated for decades by liberal establishment, firmly rooted in denying German nationalism, and transcedenting it into “Europe” and globalism. Angela Merkel –as a person — grew up in an activist family, a preacher’s daughter that was known for her protest days in East Germany. She embraced European identity sincerely, not just as a politician. Born into the family of Polish ancestry she embodied the spirit of the new, post-unification Germany. This Germany was to unite Europe, cement the relationship with France, and be the loyal NATO member.
EU was in many ways US creation, to provide a vehicle for the control of German economic miracle. The irony cannot be greater — Trump accusing Germany of being the chief beneficiary of EU. Euro was designed to integrate weaker European economies into common currency as the German Mark was getting very strong. There was the fear that after reunification, Germany was going to overwhelm Europe as the strongest economy. But with Maastricht Treaty signed, Yugoslsvia on the chopping block, and with the recogniyion of Croatia — Germany saw itself with an easy access to Mediterranean, via old route across Austria and Croatia. Those were the heady days, days of Bill and Hillary Clinton — the era of special US – German relationship.
But the heady days were over, when three European presidents — Chirac, Schroeder and Putin stood together as one — objecting to Bush invasion on Iraq. Even though today many, including president Trump consider the invasion one of US greatest strategic disasters — at that time a show of force by France, Germany and Russia was very unnerving to Washington and UK. From that day forward, Shroeder was to be removed from power, and Washington friendly Merkel coalition was elected, and a pro-US Sarkozy won in France. Russia got a message. Fast forward — today, following a strictly prescribed foreign policy from Washington — be that in Balkans or Ukraine, or Russia, Germany finds itself isolated more then ever. With EU project in trouble, economies in Europe stagnant, and with no support from UK or US — in fact with disparaging remarks on EU meaning — German pan-European and globalist liberal identity took a direct hit. Merkel’s response is to stay on theiberal barricades. But where it will undermine Trump — is in NATO. UK. is –and has allways been the founthead of Russiophobia. No matter what it says or does — but it will remain a historic constant. Germany will stick to it — for one, its globalist circles demand it, and UK will be hard pressed to even FEIGN Trump’s change in geopolitics. Hence –NATO unity. With UK now not a factor in EU, and being almost forcefully embraced by Ttump, Germany is tough spot — but is willing to “give ip” for the right price. That is — if Merkel wins again. But she may be vulnerable and Social Demicrats are bringing in Schultz as their candidate. Europe’s reshuffling has started – whether intentional or not.
Dd
Why do you want to go off at length on Germany and Merkel? Because you believe this story and so there’s nothing more to say about it?
What if this story is a purposeful lie. Or at best an omission of the facts. And pretty important facts too considering that there would be no story on Trump/Putin talking if the issue wasn’t the easing of the sanctions.
Let’s not let anybody pretend that talking point could have been discussed, because RT says it simply wasn’t.
Let’s just clear this one up. Nobody knows what they talked about. Period. They are not going to say.
As for sanctions, remember, it is Russia that does not really want to give EU access to its food market. In a very short time, their producers jumped in to fill in the gap to provide import substitution. That in turn stimulated the grain production, increase in all kinds of agricultural production and finished products. So, the truth is — post sanctions will never look the same. Even lower price of oil/gas did not do damage, as converted to lower ruble exchange rate, domestically they did not see the loss. Sure, there are sectors that would be better off without sanctions, but the reality of it is — sanctions had their positive effect. Many aspects of commerce, like payment systems, that were at first real pain, now no more matter. There are now places in Moscow that will accept only their cards — just out of misguided patriotism. EU food producers will have a slow climb, and will be successful only in the up-market, population with higher income and looking for particular European brand.
Even though sanctions are often on everyone lips, it seems that it is of more importance to EU politicians, to make a point that sanctions hurt Russia. The truth is, from day one, China had anything Russia ever wanted to buy. And was actually ready to jump in — day one. And not just China. Everybody and their mama was ready to cash in on EU sanctions. But Russia took steps to up its own food growth and processing,
Speaking of sanctions, US does not have much to really affect Russia’s economy. But Russia has a bunch of ways to really hurt back, should it come to that. But wisely, kept quiet, and did not make an issue. The problem with sanctions, specially if they CAN hurt someone, one has to think really hard if this is advisable. Because if Russia retaliated, it would have hurt wrong people, not Obama. So, it is understood — much to McCain’s anger, that Russia is just smirking, while he fumes. I guess this must drive him bonkers.
It is by far important to understand the situation in Europe today, and its crosswinds. And by far more relevant to US national interest, then the issue of sanctions. If you know of one, just one sanction that is really affecting Russia, and for which it tried and failed to find remedy — let me know. I have been trying to get better informed on details.
Well at least we know that ‘sanctions’ weren’t discussed.
Because the Kremlin said so.
The Kremlin wasn’t as tightlipped as this story tries to make out.