Trump’s Russia co-operation plan faces big obstacles

For all his shifting policy positions throughout the campaign, president-elect Donald Trump has been consistent on one issue: he would like better ties with Russia.

Even before the dossier of ­unproven statements focused ­unusual attention on alleged Moscow connections, Trump had decidedly favoured an attempt to reset relations with Vladimir Putin. While his administration may offer coherent geopolitical reasons for doing so, the hurdles in its way are high and rising.

Trump’s desire for warmer ties has been the subject of months of speculation and ­debate. Some see it as affection for another nationalist-populist ­leader, one who claims the mantle of traditional social values, sovereign rights, and secure borders.

Read the full article in The Australian.