The Myth of Decreasing Sanctions and Trump-Russia Collusion

The idea that decreasing sanctions on Russia is the root cause of most Trump-Russia collusion talks is a misconception that fails to address the real issues at hand. While Vladimir Putin is certainly not an ally, and the United States has indeed worked with some unsavory political leaders in its history, the problems surrounding the Trump administration and Russia stem directly from secret undisclosed meetings, not from the easing of sanctions.

Secret Meetings and Misinformation

The "root" of the current issues is not the decreasing of sanctions, but the fact that high-ranking members of the Trump campaign and administration have held secret meetings with Russian officials. These meetings, both during and after the 2016 election, have been consistently misrepresented and cover-up attempts have been made. There have been approximately 20 such meetings, and every single one has been lied about, confirmed, and verified.

The media and right-wing press have latched onto various conspiracy theories and mischaracterizations, labeling the reporting and investigation as "fake news" and "Hoax." Phrases like "Lying NYTimes" and "Obama Wiretapped Trump Tower" have been commonly heard, creating a narrative that deflects blame from the administration and level of secrecy.

Why It's Bad to Decrease Sanctions

Firstly, the sanctions that have been in place are not just unilateral actions by the United States. Many nations, including our allies, have agreed on and implemented these sanctions. Before any actions are taken to decrease or lift these sanctions, these nations need to be consulted. These sanctions were put in place to curb actions that were determined to be detrimental to American and allied interests, and the Russian government has not shown a willingness to negotiate in good faith or address these concerns.

Secondly, the main concerns that led to the imposition of sanctions are related to Russia's interference in the 2016 U.S. election. Despite this, there has been no substantial action taken to address this issue. The lifting or easing of sanctions without the Russian government making significant concessions is not in America's or her allies' best interests.

Forward-Looking Path to Better Relations

While tensions remain high, it is in America's interest to work towards better relations with Russia. However, this requires a willingness on Russia's part to engage in genuine, good-faith negotiations to resolve the issues that led to the sanctions. Merely lifting or easing sanctions without tangible actions from Russia is the wrong approach and could potentially undermine the trust and cooperation that is necessary.

Ultimately, the emphasis should be on transparency and accountability. The right way forward is to ensure that all information regarding political and economic dealings is transparent, and that both the U.S. and its allies are consulted and kept informed of any moves concerning sanctions.

Conclusion

While there are ongoing debates about the role of decreasing sanctions in the context of Trump-Russia collusion, the real issues revolve around the secrecy and misinformation surrounding the meetings between the Trump administration and Russian officials. It is crucial to focus on addressing these questions rather than engaging in misguided controversies about sanctions.

The United States should continue to engage with Russia while ensuring that any agreements made are genuinely beneficial and transparent. The narrative around decreasing sanctions must be balanced with the necessary steps to prevent similar issues from arising in the future.