Trump and Putin aim to build a strategic relationship but their ties will soon be tested

While hawkish US politicians warn of the perceived dangers posed by Russia, others say the incoming US president, in his capacity as a dealmaker, may be just the right person to put relations back on track

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Face masks depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and US president-elect Donald Trump at a souvenir shop in St Petersburg, Russia. Photo: AP

Published: 5:02pm, 31 Dec 2016Updated: 7:45pm, 31 Dec 2016

For much of this year, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have been engaged in a long-distance courtship. They have said kind things about each other in public and separately expressed visions of a mutually agreeable future.

Since Trump’s election, the anticipation has become more explicit. It culminated this week in the US president-elect’s call for America to “move on” from allegations of Russian electoral hacking, and the Russian president’s blithe pronouncement Friday that he would rather plan for a new relationship with Trump than retaliate in kind to sanctions and expulsions ordered by outgoing President Barack Obama.

“Great move on delay (by V. Putin),” Trump tweeted. “I always knew he was very smart!”

[The Kremlin] sees Trump’s presidency as a net loss for the US strategic position that Russia should take advantage of

Vladimir Frolov, a Moscow-based analyst

But as with all such arms-length pairings, the looming question is whether Trump and Putin will find fulfilment or disappointment once face-to-face reality strikes.

US and Russian officials and experts are deeply divided over the answer. Some see Moscow playing Trump like a fiddle.

“[The Kremlin] sees Trump’s presidency as a net loss for the US strategic position that Russia should take advantage of,” said Vladimir Frolov, a Moscow-based analyst.

Others depict the Russians as genuinely willing to deal and cautiously optimistic about improved relations under a US president who has none of the prejudices they see in the Obama administration.

While some fear that Trump has no firm understanding of the policy complications ahead and the threats posed by Russia, others say Trump the dealmaker may be just the right person to set relations back on a road to cooperation that will benefit US national security.