WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — "This is more good news for those hoping for the restoration if sanity in Russian-American relations," University of Rhode Island Professor of Comparative and International Politics Nicolai Petro said on Wednesday.
"Kissinger is a legendary figure, so his support for Trump’s foreign policy and for Rex Tillerson to be his secretary of state is quite important," Petro said.
Kissinger, even at his advanced age, was not an isolated figure, but worked closely with other powerful and influential Americans who wanted to restore good diplomatic, strategic and business ties with Russia, Petro added.
"It is worth noting that he works with a group of people, most notable among them, from the perspective of Russia policy, is Tom Graham," he stated.
University of Copenhagen History Professor Matthew Dal Santo also welcomed the reports that Trump had selected Kissinger as his personal adviser on relations with Russia.
"If true, reports that Kissinger may serve as adviser to Trump on Russia are welcome news. Kissinger has long been an advocate of taking Russia seriously. In many ways he foresaw the breakdown in relations between Russia and the West more than 15 years ago," Dal Santo said.
"Had his advice been heeded then there may never have been a crisis now to resolve," he argued.
Trump had acted shrewdly in selecting Kissinger as his key adviser and backroom strategist in dealing with Moscow, Dal Santo suggested.
"As a realist with respect for history and a good relationship with President Putin, Kissinger is uniquely placed to put relations with Russia on a rational footing based on interests, not ideology," he said.
Kissinger, like Trump was a pragmatic negotiator who put national interests ahead of abstract values in conducting international relations, Dal Santo concluded.
