According to ISW analysis, Putin’s recent speech is a calculated effort to influence the foreign policy approach of the incoming Trump Administration.
The Institute for the Study of War reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been trying to influence Donald Trump’s foreign policies, in order to reset US-Russian relations on Moscow’s terms.
ISW reported that, speaking at the Valdai discussion club on 7 November, Putin referred to Trump’s campaign speech, noting his “desire to restore relationships with Russia, in order to help end the Ukrainian Crisis,” ISW.
According to ISW’s analysis, Putin blamed Washington for the deterioration of bilateral relations, citing US sanctions against Ukraine and US support for Ukraine. The report notes that Putin did not mention these measures were implemented as a response to Russia’s invasion in Ukraine.
Putin’s assessment suggests that he would only agree to a reset if the US renounced sanctions and ended support for Ukraine.
ISW writes: “Putin’s statement implies that Russia will only accept a reset in US-Russian relations if the US drops sanctions and restrictions against Russia, and stops supporting Ukraine.”
The report states that Russian President Vladimir Putin characterized NATO as “a blatant anachronism”, and portrayed BRICS a non-bloc as an alternative. ISW points out that this is in contrast to Moscow’s actions of “forming a new anti Western bloc composed by Iran, North Korea and China.”
A Kremlin spokesperson called the claims “unrelated” to reality.
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