Dmitry Suslov, Deputy Director at Russia’s Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at the Higher School of Economics, was quoted by the Jan. 12 issue of Russia’s Kommersant that Trump’s second term could present greater opportunities for implementing agreements with Russia. “First, because this time there are no lingering accusations of so-called Russian interference in the U.S. elections, nor claims of collusion between the Kremlin and Trump’s team. He is now perceived as a legitimately elected president. Second, Trump’s emerging team is expected to show more internal unity, unlike his first term when some individuals actively undermined his foreign policy, including decisions related to Russia. Third, the Republicans will control Congress for at least the next two years,” Suslov explained, according to the TASS press review of Jan. 13.
However, the expert warned against expecting any significant breakthroughs. He remains skeptical about the likelihood of Moscow and Washington reaching an agreement on Ukraine. “The terms for resolving the Ukrainian conflict that Russia might find minimally acceptable would appear to the U.S. as a catastrophic defeat. Against this backdrop, any concession to Russia—such as on the crucial issue of Ukraine’s demilitarization—would likely provoke hostility from both Republican and Democratic hawks, as well as U.S. allies in Europe,” he concluded.
