(MOSCOW) – Russian state media has detailed a twin track diplomatic strategy aimed at pressuring the United States administration to force Ukraine into a settlement. Panellists on the state controlled “60 Minutes” programme suggested that the Kremlin is currently deploying a “good cop, bad cop” routine to influence Donald Trump.
The strategy reportedly involves Kirill Dmitriev, who manages the Russian Direct Investment Fund, presenting an optimistic outlook for bilateral cooperation, while the foreign ministry, led by Sergey Lavrov, maintains a pessimistic stance regarding Ukraine. Analysts on the programme claimed that Donald Trump is hindered by a need to avoid appearing as though he has betrayed Kyiv, a perception that the Russian dictator, Vladimir Putin, is reportedly seeking to exploit.
Russian officials are suggesting that a failure to reach a settlement by June could jeopardise future economic agreements. They argue that if the Republican party loses its majority in the United States Congress in the November midterm elections, any potential trade deals would be blocked by Democrats. Moscow is currently dangling the prospect of contracts worth 12 trillion US dollars (approximately 9.2 trillion British pounds) as an incentive for Washington to abandon its support for Ukrainian sovereignty.
The Kremlin is specifically referencing a “spirit of Anchorage,” following previous high level discussions in Alaska. However, there is significant scepticism regarding the viability of these claims, as the Russian dictator remains under an International Criminal Court arrest warrant. While Russian state television suggests that a deal could lead to an end to hostilities by spring, critics view the 12 trillion US dollar figure as a fantasy designed to manipulate the transactional nature of the current United States administration.
State TV explains Russia’s diplomatic strategy. Russian state TV show “60 Minutes,” featuring host Olga Skabeeva, member of the Russian International Affairs Council, Alexey Naumov, and U.S. correspondent Igor Naimushin.
