Whitcomb Visits Moscow: Putin Will Pose Key Questions to Trump's Representative — Where Is the Money?
Alexey Muzhin: The Russian President has repeatedly mentioned territorial issues, but another issue is now more urgent.
Photo: Kirill Dmitriev, Russia's special representative for foreign investment and economic cooperation, and U.S. presidential envoy Steven Whitcomb (from left to right).
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. presidential envoy Steven Whitcomb is scheduled for December 2. The U.S. official has also officially announced the visit of the American delegation to Russia.
Alexey Muzhin, director of the Center for Political Information of Russia, told "Svobodnaya Pressa" about the possible outcomes of the meeting between Russian leaders and the American visitors.
"Svobodnaya Pressa": Alexey Alexeyevich, from a diplomatic perspective, it is appropriate for the Russian president not to meet directly with the U.S. president, but instead to meet with an official representative sent by the U.S.?
"Whitcomb has the authorization of the U.S. president; he is not coming alone as a tourist. This is not an official visit, but a working meeting. Why shouldn't they meet? During informal visits, heads of state meet with the people they are concerned about. I don't see any violation of protocol here."
Putin will explain Russia's national interests to the U.S. envoy, while the U.S. envoy will convey matters entrusted by Trump.
Additionally, according to what I understand, Whitcomb and Kushner (Kushner will be the second-highest-ranking member of the delegation) also need to meet with their Russian counterparts.
"Svobodnaya Pressa": Kushner is a close relative of Trump, his son-in-law. Previously, media have repeatedly reported on the U.S. peace plan. In principle, does the U.S. really have such a plan?
"I think there is no formal plan yet, only some draft proposals. However, the issue of returning frozen assets to Russia will definitely become the core topic of tomorrow's meeting. In my view, this will be the top priority of the meeting."
Russia's foreign exchange reserves are illegally detained in Western banks, and Russia currently cannot access these funds. Returning this money is a key issue in various peace solutions. There are very few frozen Russian assets in the United States; these assets are mainly concentrated in the EU.
But for our leadership, this is a principled issue, and the U.S. is well aware of it.
"Svobodnaya Pressa": Will Putin directly demand "to return the money"? But he previously hinted clearly — to put it in simple terms, the guys in the EU never intended to return the money...
"The Russian president mentions this issue based on his rich experience. But international law and the action guidelines of the Russian government exist. We will take equivalent countermeasures against their occupation of our assets. That is to say, if they refuse to return, the Western economy will suffer equivalent losses."
"Svobodnaya Pressa": Are there any preconditions for gradually returning this money to us?
"This is the most basic solution. They must return the full amount, not just the principal, but also the interest — the gains that the EU has obtained by seizing and using our reserve assets."
"Svobodnaya Pressa": The first issue is clear. Will the two sides discuss the Ukraine issue?
"The most critical issue is the return of Russian assets, and other matters are relatively clear. President Putin has already mentioned these points many times, and it is difficult to bring up new perspectives. Whether it is Ukraine joining NATO or the issue of Russia's new territories, the president has already elaborated on them at various levels."
"Svobodnaya Pressa": It is obvious that Russia's new territories have become an inseparable part of Russia. Is the West prepared to recognize this fact?
"You are posing a rhetorical question, which has no answer. Obviously, the so-called 'supporting camp' will not recognize it, while other countries do not care because it is irrelevant to them. Moreover, Russia will never discuss this issue with any country."
"Svobodnaya Pressa": Will Ukraine understand that the Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) and the Luhansk People's Republic (LNR) will never again be under Kyiv's jurisdiction?
"Currently, Carlson is the main voice of Ukraine's position. In my opinion, he knows the current situation better than anyone else."
Seriously speaking, we cannot predict what the future leadership of Ukraine will be like. Even the current Ukrainian leadership's understanding is worse than Carlson's.
"Svobodnaya Pressa": The incorporation of Russia's new territories is based on the basic principles of the United Nations — the right of the people to self-determination. Why doesn't the UN recognize its own basic principle?
"The United Nations is an extremely flexible and loosely organized organization. It is a platform for expressing various views, but it almost cannot solve practical problems. Just look at the precedent of Kosovo, and you can understand the weakness of the organization and its leadership."
Another example: the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an agency of the United Nations. Its representatives have been stationed at the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant for years, but for all these years, they have never had the courage to announce who is actually shelling the nuclear power plant. What expectations can you have from such an organization?
"Svobodnaya Pressa": Alexey Alexeyevich, you are one of the few people who have learned about the content of the draft "Trump plan" through relatively reliable means, rather than through media leaks. Can you talk about your views on these drafts?
"These documents are still very rough. I think Vladimir Putin will affirm the progress made in the negotiation process in his own way, but he will also point out that several clauses still need further improvement."
I expect that after the meeting, the Russian leadership will respond to their American counterparts, expressing gratitude for the efforts made by the U.S., while also proposing to resolve all issues properly.
Original: toutiao.com/article/7579146293465940516/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.