Putin's Genuine Outreach to Trump

by Stephen Lendman

Putin genuinely wants better relations with America - unattainable with Obama's neocon-infested administration.

Trump earlier said he respects Putin, called him a good leader, said he's doing a great job, wants to get along with him. Once inaugurated on January 20, it's put up or shut up time.

On Monday, both leaders spoke by phone. A Kremlin press service statement said:

"The Russian leader once again congratulated Trump on his victory at the presidential elections, wished him success in the implementation of his election program and noted readiness to build partner dialogue with the new administration on the principles of equality, mutual respect and non-interference into each other's domestic affairs."

"During the conversation, Putin and Trump not only fell in on the assessment of the extremely unsatisfactory state of the Russian-US relations but also spoke in favor of active joint efforts toward their normalization and bringing them into the track of constructive cooperation on a wide range of issues." 

"The sides stressed the necessity of creating a reliable basis for bilateral ties by means of the development of their trade-and-economic component."

"Putin and Trump shared the opinion on the necessity to pool efforts against major common enemy - international terrorism and extremism. In this context, they discussed issues of the settlement of the Syrian crisis."

"The sides agreed to continue telephone contacts with a possible personal meeting to be organized by representatives of both sides."

"It was noted that next year will see the 210th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and the United States, which is to prompt the sides to get back to pragmatic, mutually beneficial cooperation in the interests of both countries, as well as of stability and security in the world."

Trump will face enormous bipartisan pressure to maintain hardline relations with Russia - including no cooperation in combating (US-supported) terrorism in Syria, irresponsibly blaming Moscow for nonexistent "aggression" in Ukraine, the Crimea issue, and continuing illegally imposed sanctions.

Will he go along or chart a new course? It's too early to know, despite a press release issued on his behalf, saying "President-elect Trump noted to President Putin that he is very much looking forward to having a strong and enduring relationship with Russia and the people of Russia."

Russian lower house State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin is right saying "(i)f Trump brings his promises to life, it will radically change the situation. We have only seen Trump as a candidate but we are yet to see" what he'll do as president. 

Candidacy and incumbency are world's apart. How Trump transitions from one to the other remains to be seen. He has lots of proving to do and lots of pressure to overcome.

I'll support his positive initiatives if undertaken, while criticizing harmful dirty business as usual policies.

I expect more continuity than beneficial change - a challenge to Trump to prove me and other nonbelievers wrong.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. 

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. 

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