Delegation of US senators to hold talks with Russian counterparts in Moscow
Several US senators will arrive in Moscow today for talks with members of Russia’s upper house, state governors and possibly Russian President Vladimir Putin. The visit precedes the July 16 summit in Helsinki between Putin and US President Donald Trump.
Confirmed members of the delegation include Republican senators from Alabama, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. Primarily focused on diplomatic outreach, the senators are expected to use the trip to question allegations of Russia’s interference in the US and French elections, the Russian annexation of Crimea and the Syrian civil war. Senator Shelby of Alabama has prioritised strengthening relations and identifying new areas of economic, and scientific cooperation between the two countries.
Despite the delegation’s visit, US Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman along with National Security Adviser John Bolton, are among prominent individuals associated with the Trump administration are strongly in favour of normalising relations with Moscow. For European allies, the delegation will be watched closely for signs of warmer relations with Russia. However, with Senator Shelby as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee is the only member of the delegation with a significant committee position, it is unlikely that the members of the delegation would have considerable sway over such policy.
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