A Week of Upheaval: Putin and Trump’s Shaking of the World
When he penned his eyewitness account of the 1917 Russian Revolution, American journalist John Reed famously titled it ‘Ten Days That Shook The World.’ But 10 days is too long for Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. They’ve shaken things up in a week.
The relationship between Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, and Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, has been a subject of much debate and scrutiny.
Initially, both leaders expressed admiration for each other's leadership styles, with Trump praising Putin as a 'strong' leader.
However, this rapport was met with skepticism by many in the international community due to concerns over human rights abuses and Russian interference in US elections.
According to a Pew Research Center survey, 64% of Americans view Putin unfavorably.
The two leaders have since maintained a complex relationship, marked by periods of cooperation on issues like counter-terrorism and trade, as well as criticism and tension over matters such as Ukraine and election meddling.
It all began with their telephone conversation on February 12th, where they pledged to revitalize relations between the US and Russia. This marked the start of a series of events that would leave traditional alliances in disarray, raise fears for European security, and cement Russia’s position at the top table of global politics.
Donald Trump is a businessman, television personality, and politician who served as the 45th President of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
Born on June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York, Trump graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in economics.
He took over his family's real estate business and expanded it into a global empire.
Trump has written several bestselling books, including 'The Art of the Deal,' and hosted reality TV shows like 'The Apprentice.' He was elected president on a populist platform, promising to shake up Washington politics.
The Munich Security Conference was the next stop on this journey of upheaval. The conference highlighted the growing schism between Europe and America, with both sides seemingly unable to agree on key issues. This rift has left European leaders scrambling to respond to the changing landscape.
In a significant development, top officials from the US and Russia met in Riyadh on Tuesday for high-level talks. This marks the first such summit between the two countries since the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine. The meeting is seen as a major breakthrough, with both sides eager to strengthen relations.
The Russian media has welcomed the prospect of warmer ties with Washington, pouring scorn on European leaders and Kyiv in the process. Pro-Kremlin tabloid ‘Moskovsky Komsomolets’ writes: ‘Trump knows he will have to make concessions [to Russia] because he is negotiating with the side that’s winning in Ukraine.‘ The article goes on to say that Trump will make concessions, but at the expense of Europe and Ukraine.
On the streets of Moscow, people are watching and waiting to see whether Trump will really turn out to be Russia’s new best friend. Some believe that Trump is a businessman who only cares about making money, while others hope that the talks in Saudi Arabia will bring an end to the war in Ukraine.
As we look ahead to what promises to be a significant presidential summit between Putin and Trump, one thing is clear: the world has changed dramatically over the past week. Whether this new era of cooperation will bring peace and stability remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – the world will never be the same again.
Vladimir Putin was born on October 7, 1952, in Leningrad, Soviet Union.
He graduated from Leningrad State University with a degree in international law.
Putin served as a KGB agent from 1975 to 1990 and later became the Mayor of Saint Petersburg from 1991 to 1996.
He was appointed Prime Minister of Russia in 1999 and later became President in 2000.
Putin has been re-elected three times, with his current term ending in 2024.
