Trump administration boasts Russia isolation, seeks further pressure

Among the accomplishment of the first 100 days of the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump was having “further isolated Syria and Russia at the United Nations through successful diplomacy with President Xi Jinping of China,” the White House website reported on April 27. The same day, U.S. Representative to the UN Nikki Haley called upon the UN Security Council to increase political pressure on Russia for its role in supporting the Syrian government, which is extending the warfare.

Zenon Zawada: These statements offer further evidence that any intentions Trump had to improve relations with Russia have been put on the backburner. He could also be withdrawing from any overtures to enhance his negotiating position for when he does choose to offer some serious compromises.

These statements have also silenced the deafening cacophony of speculation that Trump had financial ties to the Putin regime. The conventional view is that extended pressure on Russia is good for Ukraine, but we believe the extension of economic and travel sanctions have the potential to provoke further Russian military aggression.