Setting benchmarks on Donald Trump

The 53rd Munich Security Conference, held on February 17-19, was overshadowed by US President Donald Trump. Everyone wondered what foreign and security policy the new US administration would pursue. The issue was made especially pressing due to Trump repeatedly declaring that he will “put America first” and promising to improve relations with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, as well as some controversial presidential decrees issued to implement his campaign promises.

Meanwhile, there was a sudden resignation on February 13, as National Security Advisor Michael Flynn left his job due to his contacts with the Russian ambassador in Washington. It prompted chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee John McCain to say on the first day of the Munich Conference that the Trump administration was in disarray.

The Day asked the US Atlantic Council’s senior research fellow and managing partner of Myrmidon Group LLC Adrian Karatnycky, who participated in the Munich Conference, to describe the atmosphere of this forum and reveal what topics were most actively discussed there and what Ukraine should expect from the situation which has developed in the US.

“TRUST IN TRUMP’S AND VICE PRESIDENT’S TEAM WAS EVIDENT”

“Speeches delivered by US Vice President Mike Pence and American legislators as well as meetings on the sidelines of the Munich Conference made a positive impression on me and instilled hope that it all would develop in a regular way. The conference heard encouraging statements and criticism of Russian aggression. We also heard a strange statement by Pence, where he dissociated himself from his president, said that the US would try to mend relations with Russia, and very clearly expressed his concern about the situation in Ukraine, noting that Russia was responsible for it.

“I think that European concern about American policy might work in favor of Ukraine. This is due to conflicts with Trump which unfold against the background of his dithyrambs and praise for Putin and attempts to find common ground in the fight against terrorism, which experts believe to be a very important issue, but not more so than the threat of Russia’s aggressive actions. So expect more solidarity. Moreover, following the Brexit, the UK will understand the need to maintain the unity of the Western world and coordinate our actions.