Trump and Putin Meet As Questions Remain on Iran Sanctions

Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump met on July 16 in Helsinki, Finland, and while it wasn’t billed as a summit or a meeting with a specific agenda, it was clear that Trump is more open to a changing relationship with Russia than past U.S. administrations. In fact, he blamed the U.S. for the strained relationship between the two countries in multiple tweets.

“Our relationship with Russia has NEVER been worse thanks to many years of U.S. foolishness and stupidity and now, the Rigged Witch Hunt!” said Trump on Twitter as he prepared to meet with Putin. The Russian Foreign Ministry retweeted that message, adding that they agreed.

This changing relationship will likely also impact the ongoing situation with Iran, due in large part to the fact that Russia is an ally of the Iranian regime. They are both supporting Assad’s government in Syria, and Russia has blocked several moves by the UN Security Council when it attempted to sensor Iran in the past.

Last week, Putin also had a meeting with Ali Akbar Velayati, a top adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This meeting brought speculation that Iran’s presence in Syria would be one of the topics discussed by the two leaders. The two men met together with no advisors, just translators, for a talk before their delegations joined them. No details have yet been made available about what was discussed.

The Russian government attempted to keep the expectations for the meeting low, and instead billed it as an important step forward in the relations between these two nations after years of tension. Advisors to the U.S. President also are trying to temper expectations.

“Of course, the time has come that we speak extensively about our bilateral relations and various problem points around the world. There are enough of them that we ought to pay attention to them,” said Putin before Trump made his opening remarks to the press.

The discussions between the two leaders were expected to focus on conflicts in Syria and Ukraine, an arms control agreement and 2011 nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia.

“I never thought I would see the day when our American President would stand on the stage with the Russian President and place blame on the United States for Russian aggression. This is shameful,” said U.S. Senator Jeff Flake.

There is fear that during this meeting, a deal might be struck on Iran, with Russia backing Iran leaving Syria, while the U.S. gives recognition of Crimea’s annexation and an easing of Ukraine-related sanctions. Many see Trump’s actions, including the embargo on Iranian oil set to start this autumn, supporting the objective of regime change in Iran.

Trump also met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, prior to his meeting with Putin. The two discussed Iran and the security of the Middle East. Netanyahu also applauded Trump for pulling out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in May, thanking him for his hardline stance on the Iranian regime. Russia, who also signed the JCPOA, remains in the pact.