A week ago, the President of the United States Donald trump “wasn’t sure” that Russia controls the terrorists in the Donbas. But lo and behold, a few days later the head of the States all became very clear. Its official mouthpiece, the press Secretary of the White house Sean Spicer, said: “President trump has made it clear that he expects the Russian government to de-escalate the violence in Ukraine and return the Crimea”.
Of course, in the Kremlin have long lost illusions about the fact that trump instantly remove sanctions and declare a global “reset” of relations. But such blatant tripping in Moscow is not expected. Indeed, until recently the Minister of foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov “was praised” the head of the White house for a “balanced” position on Ukraine and called him “master deals”.
In Kiev, the same statement was accepted Spicer as a major victory and proof that trump once and for all abandoned their extravagant ideas on rapprochement with Moscow. Is understood by the “observer”.
Flynn and Crimea
Amazing “coincidence” — Spicer urged Russia to return the Crimea on the same day when the President’s adviser on national security issues, Michael Flynn, resigned. Leave high office Flynn had due to the fact that it “caught” in secret negotiations with the Russian Ambassador about the lifting of sanctions. There was a big argument, and EA decided to “merge” in order to avoid even greater losses. Read more in the material of the First American casualties of Putin giving Ukraine the resignation of Flynn.
But the “sacred victim” could not protect trump and his entourage on suspicion of the development of any deal with Russia (especially in the White house admitted that the President knew about the negotiations Advisor). But the clearest statement of the representative of the trump in theory could neutralize the effects of the scandal Flynn. And while it looks like that calculation is justified.
Even if we forget about Flynn, the Russian question — the main factor in splitting the Republican party. Opponents trump reasonable and less accuse him of loyalty to the Kremlin in order to weaken the position of President. The words of Spicer — attempt to ward off accusations and if you don’t remove the topic from the agenda, then at least to reduce the intensity of the political debate.
Too early to breathe a sigh of relief
For Ukraine, the White house announcement is more than reassuring message, but it is too early to breathe a sigh of relief. Yes, trump won’t be able to make a deal with Russia or something claiming the deal. The President of the United States understands it, the change in his rhetoric — evidence.
However, don’t overestimate the positive in the performance of Spicer. First, the Declaration of Crimea made yet not the President, and his representative. This leaves the Trump room for maneuver in the future — small, but still. Not once it happened that trump even the messages contradict each other.
Second, the “throwing” of trump on the international front (not only Russian, but also, for example, about the Chinese directions) suggests that the formation of foreign policy strategy continues. And given the specificity of trump and high level of conflict in the American establishment, most likely, for the whole term, this strategy will not be stable.
Thirdly, one of the priorities trump all else is to fight with the Islamic threat, including ISIS. And, apparently, the us President still considers Russia as a potential ally in this area.
The Kremlin “got into position”
Very indicative of Russia’s reaction to the statement made by Spicer. Initial confusion gave way to classic tactics. Moscow declared that the annexed Crimea will not return. “My territory is not returned,” — said the official representative of Russian foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova.
But the barrage of “righteous anger” at the trump did not collapse. On the contrary, the Kremlin is a kind of “came to” the American President. For example, the head of Committee of Federation Council on defense and security Viktor Ozerov said that trump had to adjust their messages under the pressure of public opinion to “mute” the dissatisfaction of the Americans.
Another interesting statement came from the lips of the speaker of the state Duma Vyacheslav Volodin: “Not necessary at all to raise this issue. Some press Secretary said something… Look, it’s what someone else says.”
This reaction is evidence that the Kremlin is still hoping to reach an understanding with trump in the future.
