U.S. President Donald Trump gestures during a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a Group of 20 leaders summit in Osaka, Japan, last year.
RFE: A Trump-Putin 'Reset'? Flurry Of Communication Points To Behind-The-Scenes Diplomacy
On March 30, Russian leader Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump spoke by telephone, the first of five calls between the two over the next five weeks, a flurry of communication unprecedented during Trump's 3 1/2 years in office.
"We had a great call," Trump later told reporters. The Kremlin described the call as "lengthy" and said the two leaders "expressed serious concern regarding the scope of the spread of the coronavirus" and "discussed closer cooperation."
Meanwhile, the two countries' diplomats have spoken at least three times over that same period, which also coincided with an unusual shipment of Russian coronavirus-related humanitarian aid to the United States.
For many Russia watchers, the flurry of behind-the-scenes phone calls and other communications is a clear indication that something's going on.
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WNU Editor: Both countries are now facing the same crisis. A pandemic that is killing thousands, and an economic collapse that is throwing millions out of work. The instability that this pandemic is causing internationally is also a given, and there is no idea on where this will end. The fact that these two leaders are talking to each other on a regular basis should surprise no one. In fact, I am relieved that they are talking to each other on a regular basis.
2 comments:
WNU,
I'm relieved too because the bottom line is China which is threatening USA first then it will be Russia second. The currents problems between US and Russia are real but very unfortunate.
If Trump can get reelected with Republican majorities in both the House and the Senate who are in line with Trump's pre COVID-19 positions and he regains his way, perhaps we can end Cold War 2. Not so long ago this seemed imminently likely. Then along came COVID-19 and our government's misguided reaction to this to throw all of this in doubt.
Ending Cold War 2 should be our top prority. Hopefully Trump would be smart enough to see through any misinformation Putin might feed him on COVID-19. Some reports suggest Trump is a germophobe. Perhaps this is his Achilles heel. In this case, good advisers will need to steer him to rational thinking.
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