The article discusses former President Barack Obama’s relationship with Russia, particularly his interactions with President Vladimir Putin. It argues that while Donald Trump faces criticism for his ties to Putin, Obama’s actions prior to Trump may have unintentionally supported Putin's aggressive foreign policies.
• Many claim Trump has disrupted diplomatic norms and favored Putin, yet he has never been accused of "wooing" him.
• The Washington Post labeled Obama's behavior as “wooing” during his presidency, indicating a more submissive stance towards Putin.
• Obama’s first term actions, from 2008 to 2012, are seen as paving the way for Putin's geopolitical maneuvers.
• In the final debate before the 2008 election, Obama expressed a desire to avoid a "cold war posture" with Russia, signaling a shift in relations.
• Following his election, Obama attempted a "reset" in U. S. -Russia relations, which included a public relations misstep with a incorrectly labeled reset button.
• Obama's visit to Moscow was marked by a sideshow about the purchase of Alaska, which Russians view negatively.
• He angered Poland by canceling a missile shield agreement, aligning with Russia’s interests.
• The initiative to create a Russian Silicon Valley, Skolkovo, ended up benefiting Russia’s military and tech espionage efforts.
• Obama also shared U. S. military secrets with Russia, further undermining alliances like Britain’s.
• In 2012, during a hot mic incident, Obama indicated he'd have more flexibility in dealings with Putin after the election, illustrating his approach to negotiations.
• Even after Obama's efforts, Putin publicly disrespected him by skipping a significant summit.
• The article concludes that actions taken by Obama, if taken by Trump, would have drawn accusations of being a puppet of Putin, but they were dismissed as diplomatic gestures.
Overall, the article argues that Obama’s presidency may have had a more detrimental impact on relations with allies and inadvertently strengthened Putin's position than is commonly acknowledged, contrasting with the scrutiny Trump receives for his own relationship with Putin.
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