This promise of President Donald Trump to normalize relations with Russia has actually gone in reverse. The relationship between the two nuclear giants has taken a turn for the worse with the United States imposing additional sanctions on Russia and Russia promoting de-dollarization whenever and wherever possible. Russia has liquidated its own U.S. Treasury holdings as the tensions between the two countries have grown especially since last year.
In the latest sign of increasing tensions, the United States seems to have rejected Russia’s plea and negotiations as it announced that the country is ready to leave yet another cold-war era treaty, known as the Intermediate-range nuclear forces (INF) in February, citing violations by Russia. The treaty restricts the use of nuclear and conventional short and medium-range missiles.
In repose to U.S. announcement of leaving the Treaty last year, Russia reportedly sent constructive proposals that allowed the US to make expert conclusions on the 9М729 missile, which they contend was created in violation of the Treaty parameters. But the U.S. key negotiator, Andrea Thompson, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs, announced the negotiations with Russia have been disappointing.
With the U.S. set to move out of the agreement in February, Russian foreign minister warned that led by the United States western countries’ attempt to undermine Russia has brought the world closer to war. He further added, “The conflict potential increased last year, primarily because of the stubborn unwillingness of some Western countries led by the United States to accept the realities of the objectively developing multipolar world, as well as because of their desire to continue to force their will on others by means of pressure and economic and propaganda instruments……..There have been attempts to steamroll multilateral institutions and erode their international mission.”
