The contrasting views underscore differing views within the administration on overall Russia policy, and Trump`s eagerness to develop a working relationship with Russia despite the ongoing investigations.
There are potential benefits to a meeting with Putin. A face-to-face meeting can humanize the two sides and often removes some of the intrigue involved in impersonal, telephone communication. Trump — the ultimate dealmaker — has repeatedly suggested that he can replace the Obama-era damage in the U.-Russia relationship with a partnership, particularly on issues like the ongoing Syria conflict.
There are big risks, though. Trump is known to veer off-script, creating the possibility for a high-stakes diplomatic blunder. In a brief Oval Office meeting with top Russian diplomats last month, Trump revealed highly classified information about an Islamic State group threat to airlines that was relayed to him by Israel, according to a senior administration official. The White House defended the disclosures as "wholly appropriate."
In addition, many observers warn that Putin is not to be trusted.
Oleg Kalugin, a former general with Russia`s main security agency, known as the KGB, said Putin, a shrewd and experienced politician, has "other priorities" than discussing the accusations that Russia hacked the U. election with Trump, such as easing sanctions, raising oil prices, as well as next year`s presidential elections in Russia.
"Putin knows how to redirect a conversation in his favor," Kalugin said.
Nina Khrushcheva, a Russian affairs professor at the New School, said Trump is in an "impossible position."
"He can`t be too nice to Putin because it`s going to be interpreted in a way that suggests he has a special relationship with Russia," she said. "He can`t be too mean because Putin has long arms and KGB thinking. So Trump needs to have a good relationship with him but he also needs to fulfill his campaign promises of establishing better relations with Russia.
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