Trump, Putin set for first showdown at G20
Analysts predicting ‘wrestling v judo’ bout
HAMBURG: US President Donald Trump was set to meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin for the first time after press last night, in an eagerly awaited encounter at a G20 summit marked by the growing divide between the United States and its Western allies.
On the eve of a face-off that carries consequences for world crises including the wars in Syria and Ukraine, Mr Trump set the tone on Thursday with a strong attack against Moscow for its “destabilising” actions.
The first meeting of the property tycoon and the ex-KGB agent promises to be dissected frame by frame, with every move from their opening handshake through to their body language throughout to be scrutinised for any sign of rapprochement or estrangement.
“While Trump’s pro-wrestling approach is showy, bombastic and impulsive, Putin thrives on judo’s discipline and mental toughness, where a core technique is to keep an opponent off-balance and exploit his weakness,” noted Derek Chollet from thinktank German Marshall Fund.
“These contrasting styles of machismo ... will likely be the defining feature of their relationship moving forward.”
The Kremlin said the meeting was crucial for regional security and stability, with Mr Putin saying earlier this year that USRussia ties appeared to have deteriorated under Mr Trump.
The blockbuster bilateral comes on the sidelines of what is expected to be the most fraught G20 summit in years in the German city of Hamburg.
Mr Trump’s “America First” policy and climate chanfe sceptic stance are set to test the relationship with longstanding allies,
while North Korea adds more volatility to global security.
Scenes outside the heavily guarded conference hall were also stormy, as anti-globalisation protesters fought running battles overnight with police, who fired tear gas and used water cannon to disperse extreme-left Black Bloc militants late Thursday.
Mr Trump had alarmed Western partners wary of a resurgent Moscow with his refrain on the campaign trail pledging to have a “great relationship with Mr Putin and Russia”.
But amid accusations that Moscow had a hand in propelling him to the White House, Mr Trump finds himself in a tight spot over his complex relationship with the Russian leader.
In a key speech in Warsaw marking his first stop on his European tour, Mr Trump fired a rare salvo of criticism.
“We urge Russia to cease its destabilising activities in Ukraine and elsewhere, and its support for hostile regimes — including Syria and Iran — and to instead join the community of responsible nations in our fight against common enemies and in defence of civilisation itself,” he told a cheering crowd of 10,000.
He admitted that Moscow “may have” tried to influence the 2016 election that brought him to power, but also suggested others too may have been involved and blamed predecessor Barack Obama for failing to act.
When Mr Trump and Mr Putin sit down for their afternoon meeting, they will not be short of crucial issues to discuss, including the wars in Syria and Ukraine, North Korea’s nuclear programme and efforts to combat terrorism.
A White House source confirmed that Mr Trump will only be joined in the meeting by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and a Russian-English translator — an extraordinarily small cast list that has raised concerns among observers.
“Neither Tillerson nor Trump have any experience of foreign policy. That is one reason why they need pros in the room when meeting Putin,” said Thomas Wright of the Brookings Institution, who added that Mr Trump was now more likely to appease Mr Putin.
Former US ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul expressed concern that Mr Trump’s National Security advisor HR McMaster and his team — seen as moderating influences in the White House — were being sidelined.
“Putin likes small meetings. This means WH is letting Kremlin dictate the terms of this meeting. HR, at a minimum, should also be there,” he wrote on Twitter.
Ahead of the talks, the US also extended a hand of cooperation to Russia, voicing willingness to work together on establishing “no-fly zones” in Syria as part of a joint effort to stabilise the war-ravaged country.
North Korea’s successful test of an intercontinental ballistic missile also casts a dark shadow on the US leader’s first G20 summit.
In his first public remarks since the test, Mr Trump said in Warsaw that Pyongyang’s military sabre-rattling must bring “consequences” and warned he was considering a “severe” response to its ‘very, very bad behaviour’.”