But their unprecedented meeting in Helsinki has still given a win to the Kremlin and sent shockwaves through the United States, with effects on American foreign and domestic policy that will play out over the coming weeks and months.
Just by getting the summit held, the Kremlin scored a post-World Cup goal β the event, at least for a while, puts Russia on a par with the United States in terms of political weight, a key Russian objective. The press conference afterwards was also notable for the contrast between the almost total absence of substance from the American side, the long list from the Russian side and the warm, if awkward, words of praise exchanged.
The need for arms reduction, cooperation on Syria and more trade were all glossed over, for the simple reason that they are either unachievable or the two sides disagree. Absent from the show entirely was any word on sanctions; on Russian responsibility for its proven involvement in the downing of MH, whose fourth anniversary was the day after the summit; and the Novichok poisonings in the UK.
This is important for Donald Trump, with midterms ahead of him, but it is as important for Vladimir Putin, fresh from his re-coronation in March. Success abroad is a tried and tested recipe for increasing popularity, and putting one over on the US president qualifies. In sum, Putin has ceded nothing β territory, claims on territory or force posture.
He has denied everything, and been blamed for nothing. The Russian president performed with discipline as always and predictably outplayed his opponent. The only area where he could have wished for more would have been for Trump to reiterate his recent statement that Crimea should conceivably be part of Russia.
