Grigory Mesezhnikov: Trump Is Capable Of Action

The U.S. president wants to claim the laurels of the biggest peacemaker.

US President Donald Trump responded to former Russian President Dmitri Medvedev's nuclear threats with a demonstrative declaration to move nuclear submarines. In this way, the U.S. is once again increasing pressure on the Kremlin.

Today, Trump, responding to reporters' questions, said that two U.S. nuclear submarines are already "in a certain region." Why is Washington suddenly reacting publicly to statements by a Medvedev figure it itself considers "influence-free"? About this and more, Charter97.org spoke with Slovak political scientist and president of the Institute of Social Problems (IVO) (Bratislava) Grigory Mesejnikov:

- After all, Medvedev is a former president, deputy chairman of the Security Council. I think the point here is not even so much about personality as about the message. The Russian leadership is demonstrating to Trump: no matter what he says or does, the Kremlin's position remains unchanged. Russia is not going to end the war in Ukraine.

There are all sorts of claims that can be made about Donald Trump, but it's hard to doubt that he really wants peace. He wants wars to end everywhere. Russia creates serious obstacles to this aspiration. Another question is whether this peace should be just or unjust. But Trump wants to gain the laurels of the biggest peacemaker, and Vladimir Putin's policy makes it difficult for him.

There is, so to speak, a personal moment. The U.S. president believes that if someone hinders the implementation of his "peace program," he should be pressured. And it is quite obvious that the Kremlin represents just such an obstacle.

It is difficult to talk about the consistency of Trump's position. There have already been such periods during his brief presidency, when the U.S. president was ready to go almost to the surrender of Ukraine. It is not known where exactly the US submarines are now - I heard that negotiations are underway with Turkey, as it controls the passage of warships through the Bosporus and Dardanelles.

After Trump ordered strikes on Iran's nuclear infrastructure, panic set in in the Kremlin. Although the situation between Iran and the US is different from US-Russia relations, the very fact demonstrates that Trump is capable not only of talking - and he talks a lot - but also of acting.

- Is the deployment of the subs a defense against threats or a show for the electorate?

- I don't think it's a show for the electorate. And I don't think it is exclusively a defense against threats. Realistically, Russia threatens not only Ukraine, but also EU countries. But to say that it poses a direct threat to the United States is hardly possible.

From Washington's side, it is rather a tool of pressure. First of all, on the issue of Russian aggression against Ukraine. Trump wants to end this war as soon as possible. Let's see what the terms of the ceasefire will be: Ukraine is ready for negotiations and ceasefire, while Russia is not. Thus it shows Trump that his opinion does not matter to the Kremlin. And he couldn't help but notice that.

- Can Trump use nuclear rhetoric as a tool of pressure not so much on Putin, but on Russia's allies - China and India?"

- It seems to me that using nuclear capabilities as a permanent tool of pressure is unwise. Russia is constantly swinging its "nuclear baton," and this has long led to a devaluation effect. The United States, even under Trump, does not engage in nuclear blackmail - neither in his cadence nor in previous administrations.

Everybody knows what kind of capabilities the United States has. But as far as China and India are concerned, they are different categories. While both countries are nuclear, China has substantially more capability than India. I think with respect to India, Trump will use economic measures - tariffs and other forms of pressure. With respect to China, too, economic and political steps are possible, including an attempt at diplomatic isolation. So far this is not seen on a large scale, but the trend is there.

Now Trump seems to be trying to pressure China and India to stop cooperating with Russia - to stop buying its oil and gas. However, he is unlikely to use the nuclear argument to do so. Although Trump is unpredictable, nothing can be ruled out, but in my opinion it is unlikely.

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