The U.S. Capitol Riot Wasn’t a Gift to Putin
Whether for propaganda or geopolitics, the value to Russia of current U.S. domestic turmoil is vastly overrated.
No lasting joy for Putin.
Photographer: Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called Wednesday’s rioting at the Capitol “the biggest gift to Putin” from President Donald Trump. Glee from pro-Putin commentators in Moscow would seem to bear out that opinion, echoed by many U.S. Democrats. But what exactly has Putin been gifted?
Certainly not a political advantage. With Trump, considered a Putin admirer by the Democrats, about to vacate the White House, the Russian ruler has every reason to expect a compensatory show of strength from Joe Biden. The weaker the U.S. looks in these final days of Trump’s term, the stronger this predictable blowback is likely to be.