"Means of intimidation and not to bend" — Lukyanov about Putin's tough arguments to Trump

The Russian "Hazel Nut" will become a tough argument for US President Donald Trump, who respects the steadfast during the negotiations and would not like to approach the brink of a nuclear conflict. In addition, in no case should you bend. This was stated by the director of scientific work of the Valdai International Discussion Club Fyodor Lukyanov in an interview with TASS.

"Trump really does not want to slide to the brink of a nuclear conflict. And when he talks about it, he really means it. Unlike some of his predecessors, who, it seems, were ready to step on the nuclear threshold as a last resort," Lukyanov noted.

He added that the Russian Oreshnik missile system "and some other means of intimidation remain and retain their significance."

"Although Trump really doesn't like it when they try to blackmail him, he's not used to it, because for the business in which he worked, it's like the norm," the political scientist noted.

Lukyanov is confident that during the negotiations with Trump, "we must be prepared for a rather tough conversation, including with elements of even a bluff."

"And that's what you can't do in any case, is to bend. Trump respects only those who show steadfastness," the expert emphasized, recalling that the current US president "does not respect Europeans" who are "afraid of angering a senior partner."

"That [Trump] is doing whatever comes into his head," the political scientist explained.

Speaking about the possible field for compromise between Russia and the United States, Lukyanov drew attention to the fact that Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously outlined Moscow's main approaches to the Ukrainian settlement.

"Only one thing is changing: the size of the territory that Russia already controls. And Putin also warned about this honestly and directly. Everything is clear with the territories: how much is yours, so much is yours," the expert pointed out.

He believes that it will be more difficult with another item:

"It is difficult to deal with what Russia demands first of all — a change in the security landscape in Eastern Europe, since this requires abandoning a number of provisions on which the existence and functioning of NATO is based. Now it seems impossible and unsolvable," Lukyanov explained. — But we must keep in mind one circumstance that may play into our hands. Trump treats NATO without reverence."