Many Americans hope that the new Trump administration will bring improved relations with Russia and the avoidance of further escalation of existing tensions.
A Common Enemy
At an investment forum in Moscow, Putin remarked, “We [Russia] aim at making a contribution in the fight against terrorism, which is dangerous for the United States, for Russia and for the European countries, and for the whole world without exaggeration.”
At an address to the Russian parliament, he affirmed the desire to cooperate with the US, saying, “We are prepared to cooperate with the new American administration. It’s important to normalize and begin to develop bilateral relations on an equal and mutually beneficial basis. Mutual efforts by Russia and the United States in solving global and regional problems are in the interest of the entire world.”
In a presidential debate, President-Elect Trump remarked, “Assad is killing ISIS. Russia is killing ISIS. Iran is killing ISIS. And those three have now lined up together because of our weak policy…I think it would be great if we got along with Russia. We could fight ISIS together.”
