Trump playing long game to dismantle Russian influence — diplomat

Diplomat Pavlo Klimkin stated this on Espreso TV.

"I don't think the Paris meeting was necessary for the formal transfer of documents to the Kremlin. I believe they had them 100% from the very beginning. There, negotiations are viewed as talks specifically with the Americans. The Russians are conducting virtually no formalized negotiations with us or with the EU and, in fact, don't want to," Klimkin noted.

The diplomat explained that several rounds of talks between the Americans and the Kremlin will now take place.

"What Trump is doing is effectively a creeping dismantling of Russian positions. And by controlling Venezuela, the Americans influence both prices and oil flows, while maintaining good relations primarily with Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries.

In addition, sanctions against Rosneft and Lukoil are working, and the U.S. is also dismantling these companies' foreign assets. This means that Trump won't be in any particular hurry for now. He will build himself the best position for talks with Putin, understanding that there are still about 10 months until the midterm elections," Klimkin observed.

According to the diplomat, Trump will systematically build his position, pushing Russia and the Kremlin into conditions that will be acceptable to the Americans.

"Therefore, it's hard to expect any quick results or answers regarding these plans, talks, points, or possible security guarantees. But it's important that the Americans have taken on this matter. It's personal for Trump, and the events in Venezuela have given him additional drive and boldness. So we'll see what moves follow. I'm convinced that Putin will again try to talk with Trump and elevate these negotiations to the highest level," Klimkin added.

• American leader Donald Trump has approved a bipartisan bill to strengthen sanctions against Russia.