#us-russia-relations

#us-russia-relations

The escalation of threats to Venezuela by United States President Donald Trump may be easy to dismiss as one of his random whims, but it is too closely linked to major confrontations to be seen as a regional affair with limited impact on the rest of the world. Venezuela is turning into a bargaining chip in the game of global superpowers, along with Ukraine.

At Kushner's invitation, Flynn also attended; Bannon was invited but did not attend.1140 During the meeting, which lasted approximately 30 minutes, Kushner expressed a desire on the part of the incoming Administration to start afresh with U.S.-Russian relations.1141 Kushner also asked Kislyak to identify the best person (whether Kislyak or someone else) with whom to direct future discussions-someone who had contact with Putin and the ability to speak for him.1142

Moscow's special envoy Kirill Dmitriev told Axios on Tuesday that discussions with U.S. officials had taken place during his late-October visit to Washington, calling the talks humanitarian in nature, such as possible exchanges of prisoners that the U.S. side has been working on. A senior U.S. official confirmed the outreach and described the atmosphere as constructive, though any outcome remains distant.

For decades, USAID was one of the greatest tools America had to promote democratic values in Russia. The agency extended humanitarian assistance while fostering political reform, and in doing so endeared the United States to Russians even as it undercut the Kremlin's authoritarian ambitions. It was a supreme example of soft power: working "through attraction and persuasion rather than coercion," as the political scientist Joseph S. Nye Jr. defined the term.

The call comes ahead of Trump's meeting on Friday at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has been pressing Trump to sell Kyiv Tomahawk missiles that would allow Ukrainian forces to strike deeper into Russian territory. Zelenskyy has argued such strikes would help compel Putin to take Trump's calls for direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine to end the war more seriously.

Back in January, with Donald Trump's campaign promises to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours still fresh in the memory, there was genuine unease in Moscow over the US president's intentions. When Mr Trump mused that high levels of Taxes, Tariffs, and Sanctions on Russia might be necessary, one high-profile and pro-war Moscow commentator wrote: It's better to prepare for the worst. Soon, we'll look back on Biden's term with nostalgia, like a thaw. How wrong can you be?

"Clearly, Russia is trying to inflict pain on Ukraine with even more brazen attacks. This is a clear sign that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is testing the world -- whether they will accept or tolerate this," Zelenskyy said. "That is why it is important that the statements of leaders, states, and institutions be backed by strong actions -- sanctions against Russia, against individuals associated with Russia, tough tariffs, and other restrictions on trade with Russia," he added.

(Sipa via AP Images) French President Emmanuel Macron warned Friday that Donald Trump would once again get played by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump gave Putin a deadline of Monday to agree to bilateral talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over ending the war between the two nations, but the Kremlin has given no indication that things are moving in that direction. Trump has threatened consequences if the meeting doesn't happen, but Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed their doubts.

Today's meeting with the US leader presents similar dangers, but the Ukrainian president, and Europe, cannot be caught on the hop. The pressure may be more subtle and exerted by stealth, but it may feel equally overwhelming.