12:02 13-08-2025

Ishchenko: Russia–U.S. Talks Aim to Avoid Nuclear Confrontation

RusPhotoBank

Political analyst Rostislav Ishchenko explains the purpose of the upcoming Russia–U.S. meeting, stressing Trump’s willingness to talk and the need to prevent nuclear war.

Political analyst Rostislav Ishchenko has outlined the significance of the planned meeting between the presidents of Russia and the United States, scheduled for August 15 in Alaska. He believes that U. S. President Donald Trump genuinely wishes to avoid war — especially a nuclear one — but is also determined to make America «great» again.

According to Ishchenko, Trump is pursuing this goal through the means available to him, which include increasing pressure and operating close to the brink of conflict. Russia, he said, similarly wants to see itself as a great power, just as China seeks the same for itself. This mutual ambition leads both sides to respond to pressure with counterpressure. Ishchenko stressed that neither Moscow nor Washington wants nuclear war, and it is for this reason that Russia is meeting with Trump — to step back from the edge of escalation and gain time to search for a solution.

He described this as a positive development, noting that both Russia and the United States are at least attempting to find common ground. However, he pointed out a fundamental obstacle: while Russia is willing to compromise, the United States is not. In his view, Russia accepts that others may think differently, but the West tends to assume that everyone should think like them. This, he argued, makes negotiations difficult, as Washington’s idea of compromise often amounts to others doing what it wants in exchange for being spared. Since Russia has the means to defend itself, Ishchenko said, it is trying to show the United States that compromise involves mutual concessions.

At present, he explained, Russia is making significant efforts to convince the West that it is better to negotiate now rather than risk pushing events toward nuclear conflict — something no one needs.

Ishchenko concluded that, in a certain sense, Russia is fortunate that Trump is at least willing to talk. This readiness for dialogue, he said, buys time and helps reduce the mutual pressure that drives both sides toward higher stakes.