The Problem of Overcoming Confrontational Tendencies in Russian-American Relations during the Administration of D. Trump

Russia’s systemic deterrence reached its apogee during Obama’s second presidential term and has brought relations between Russia and the United States to the worst state since the Cold War. At the beginning of political campaign Donald Trump, who won the presidential elections in 2016 announced that relations with Russia could have been and should be better. In the period from 2017 to the present moment about 6 personal meetings were arranged and held by the Russian and American leaders, however we still can observe the rising contradictions between political circles of two countries. An expected honeymoon of bilateral relations turned out to be nothing else, but a unfeasible illusion of optimistic political leaders. However, the problem of confrontational tendencies during the administration of Donald Trump has not been studied enough. That is why this research aims to estimate the impact of his political figure and geopolitical challenges on relations between two countries and clarify the reasons for inability to overcome the long-lasting crisis. With this purpose in mind, qualitative research (narrative, document, comparative and thematic analyses) and quantitative research (structural equation modelling) will be employed.