Trump Wants Russia's Return to the Global Economy to Weaken China's Influence - Politico 0 8

The Trump administration believes that by offering Russia incentives to end the war in Ukraine, achieving its return to the global economy, and attracting American investments, the global balance of power in the U.S.-China confrontation can be changed.

According to a representative of the Trump administration, seeking ways to 'engage with Russia' could create 'a different balance of power' in U.S.-China relations that would be beneficial to Washington.

This strategy aligns with the broader foreign policy line of the White House aimed at limiting China's influence.

It includes, in particular, attempts to overthrow Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and pressure on the Cuban government to reduce China's influence in the Western Hemisphere.

Countering China is not the only reason the White House seeks to achieve an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine; however, as Politico notes, it helps explain why Trump’s representatives have not abandoned this goal after many months of fruitless negotiations.

Contacts with Russia continue despite reports that Moscow is exchanging intelligence with Iran to strike U.S. targets.

In Ukraine, the idea of providing Russia with economic incentives to engage with the U.S. raises concerns, Politico notes.

'We have already tried to act this way — and it led to nothing,' a Ukrainian official told the publication, recalling how Germany, as part of its 'Eastern Policy,' attempted to engage with Russia, yet this did not stop the war.