There are great differences between the values of the United States and Russia regarding the rule of law and democracy. As long as the leaders of the two countries merely emphasize an improvement in bilateral relations while leaving these differences intact, it cannot bring about a stable international situation.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a summit in Helsinki.
In a joint press conference afterward, Trump stressed that the U.S.-Russia relationship had emerged from the worst and said: "Constructive dialogue between the United States and Russia affords the opportunity to open new pathways toward peace and stability in our world."
The fact that the two countries will maintain dialogue in a bid to relax tensions can be hailed. The resumption of talks on nuclear arms reduction should be the first step.
The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) concluded by the two countries, which makes it mandatory to cut back on strategic nuclear warheads mounted on intercontinental ballistic missiles and other weapons, has had some effect. The 10-year treaty will expire in 2021. The two nuclear superpowers should pave the way for extension of the treaty.
Trump said he briefed Putin on the U.S.-North Korea summit held in June. To realize the denuclearization of North Korea, it is indispensable to secure the cooperation of Russia, which has influence over the North.
It is worrying that Trump has been showing a stance of appealing to sell out U.S. principles by giving top priority to building a personal relationship of trust with Putin.
Putin achieved goal
U.S.-Russia relations deteriorated precipitously in the aftermath of Russia's annexation of Crimea in southern Ukraine. The United States and the European Union have continued economic sanctions against Russia, as they do not accept changing the status quo by force.
Trump asserted that the annexation is illegal, but said both countries are to blame, regarding the regression in the U.S.-Russia relations.
U.S. intelligence agencies have determined that Russia interfered in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, but Trump went along with Putin's statement that denied Russia's intervention.
Confusion within the U.S. administration and turmoil among U.S. allies, including members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), will be unavoidable.
It can be said that through the summit with Trump, Putin was successful in conveying the impression that his country has broken out of its international isolation. Putin is apparently aiming to reconstruct the Russian economy by exploiting the summit with Trump to ease and remove U.S. and European sanctions.
Referring to the extension of the New START treaty during the joint news conference, Putin presented a policy of discussing the matter together with the suspension and downsizing of the missile defense system deployed by the United States in Europe. Arguing that Russia's annexation of Crimea is legal, Putin declared that it was a finished issue as far as Russia is concerned.
Putin's strategy of orchestrating a strong Russia and challenging the U.S.-led international order remains unchanged. There is a limit to what can be achieved through Trump-style conciliatory measures.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 18, 2018)
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