Yesterdays President Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a conference seemingly more controversial than the summit with Kim Jong-Un earlier this summer. Because of Russia's interference in the 2016 election, Russia is viewed by many Americans as our primary enemy, their annexation of Crimea and support of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad hasn't helped quell this idea. Indeed, Russia is probably the most aggressive rouge state out there and Putin isn't afraid throwing his weight around, which includes one of the world's largest nuclear arsenals.
Theodore Roosevelt gave us one of the best quotes on international diplomacy, "Speak Softly and carry a big stick." Trump's handling of this summit leaves much to be desired. His statement saying that Russia did not interfere in the 2016 election is possibly just as bad as invading Russia in winter. While trying to ease tense relations in order to create more global cooperation is a good, this only exonerates a leader who helped exacerbate global tensions.
While the world should take a strong stance against Russia and it's actions, they are not an ally of the United States, but that doesn't mean we can't talk. Though this isn't exactly a Neville Chamberlin appeasement situation, which had the mindset of avoiding the horrors of the First World War (though scenes of that war should still be in our minds). Roosevelt's words ring out loudly, we should tell Russia we want to work with them, but don't screw us.
