Could Trump's meeting with Putin be the next Reagan-Gorbachev moment?
Share this @internewscast.com

Speculation over how the upcoming meeting with President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin has run rampant over the last week, with some expressing concern the Alaska-based powwow could be more games from the Kremlin, while others have begun to draw comparisons to the 1985 breakthrough meeting between President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

Immediately following Trump’s announcement of the meeting last week, South Carolina GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham, who has been ardently opposed to Russia’s war in Ukraine, took to social media to argue, “To those who criticize President Trump for being willing to meet with Putin to end the bloodbath in Ukraine – remember Reagan met with Gorbachev to try to end the Cold War.   

“I’m confident President Trump will walk away – like Reagan – if Putin insists on a bad deal,” he added. 

President Reagan meets with Soviet leader Gorbachev in Geneva in 1985

At the closing ceremony for the Geneva Summit, Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and President Ronald Reagan face each other, on Nov. 21, 1985. (Bettmann via Getty Images)

There are clear differences in how Putin – who has openly chastised Gorbachev and referred to the collapse of the Soviet Union as the “greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century” in a 2005 speech – operates in comparison to his Soviet predecessor. 

Though some have argued there are similarities in how Trump works as a statesman, in comparison to Reagan.

The White House and other GOP figures have argued that Trump has utilized Reagan’s “peace through strength” approach in his geopolitical maneuvering since taking office in January.

“I believe there will be compelling comparisons between Trump’s ‘peace through strength’ approach to Putin and Reagan’s approach to Gorbachev,” Fleitz, who serves as vice chair of the America First Policy Institute’s Center for American Security, said. “Reagan’s strong leadership on the world stage promoted global stability and contributed to the fall of the Soviet Union.  

“Putin is coming to the Alaska Summit because he sees a strong U.S. president and one who is prepared to impose crippling energy sanctions on Russia,” he added. 

Rough echoed this line of reasoning but warned much will be determined in how Trump handles Putin in the upcoming summit.

“Trump has leverage unlike any other Western leader,” Rough argued. “I like the formula ‘peace through strength’ but the devil will be in the details.”

Trump meets with Putin

President Donald Trump meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, July 16, 2018. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)

“If the president backs his diplomatic effort in Alaska with a concrete threat of economic pressure on Russia and perhaps even talk of arms sales to Ukraine, I think the odds of him pushing Putin into a ceasefire improve,” Rough added. 

Trump has already said he does not plan on making any deals, and described the talks as a “feel-out meeting” or a “listening exercise,” as White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt detailed to reporters on Tuesday.

The president said he will immediately communicate with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders following his discussion with Putin. 

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Random blue city stabbing death fuels new bail bill as ‘activists’ ripped for lack of crime crackdown: expert

911 Audio Released of Fatal Train Stabbing of Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has released recordings of five 911 calls made…
Des Moines Public School Board accepts superintendent's resignation after ICE arrest

Des Moines School Board Approves Superintendent’s Resignation Following ICE Detention

The Des Moines Public Schools board has accepted the resignation of a…
Florida man cites barber appointment after getting clocked going more than 100 mph

Florida Man Caught Speeding Over 100 mph Claims He Was Rushing to Barber Appointment

A Florida man who was clocked going more than 100 miles per…
Judge sets sentencing date for Jacksonville rapper Ksoo convicted of murder

Live | Sentencing today for Jacksonville rapper Ksoo and co-defendant ATK Scotty following murder conviction

Ksoo and his co-defendant Leroy Whitaker, also known as ATK Scotty, are…
Carnival ride malfunction

Carnival Ride Malfunction Leaves Passengers Hanging at School Event: Watch the Video

A Carnival ride in California malfunctioned during a high school event, causing…
UVU Professor’s CIA Ties Vanish After Kirk Event

CIA Connections of UVU Professor Disappear Post-Kirk Event

A social media investigation has surfaced claims that a Utah Valley University…
Gaza flotilla: Activists including Greta Thunberg say Israeli navy has begun intercepting a Gaza-bound aid flotilla

Gaza Flotilla: Activists, Including Greta Thunberg, Report Interception by Israeli Navy

BARCELONA, Spain — Activists traveling on a flotilla of vessels headed towards…
Environmentalists, politicians, celebrities recall life and influence of primatologist Jane Goodall

Environmental Advocates, Leaders, and Stars Reflect on Jane Goodall’s Legacy and Impact

Jane Goodall was a trailblazer, an unyielding advocate, and a deeply empathetic…
Michigan church shooter's romance history emerges as suspect's father apologizes to victims' families

Community of LDS Church Members Raises Over $140K for Family of Michigan Shooting Victim

Members associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have…
'Dancing with the Stars' week 3 recap: Ballroom shocked by TikTok night elimination

‘Dancing with the Stars’ Week 3 Recap: TikTok Night Ends in Unexpected Elimination

TikTok took center stage in the ballroom Tuesday night during week three…
Chicago immigration raids: Family 'unlawfully' detained by ICE at Millennium Park now separated, court filing argues

Chicago Immigration Raid: Court Documents Allege Family Detained ‘Illegally’ by ICE at Millennium Park Now Divided

CHICAGO (WLS) — The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) has taken legal…
Mother charged with murder after son dies from getting head stuck in car window

Mother Faces Murder Charges After Son Tragically Dies in Car Window Accident

Kandice Grace was arrested after toxicology results show she was high when…