“People say Donald Trump’s strength is that he thinks outside the box. But that is not right. He does not even know what the box is.” The remark by a senior British politician with decades of experience dealing with US presidents reflects a nervousness not just about the random unpredictability of the incumbent of the Oval Office, but also the chasm between Trump’s apparent lack of interest in the ties that bind the transatlantic alliance and the regard with which they are held in London.
A number of British diplomats have expressed their concern about the potential agenda of US-Russia meeting, during which President Trump will meet with President Putin to discuss current geopolitical situation, but the possibility of a rapprochement between Russia and US makes British nerves jangle.
The UK, through choice and circumstance, has been the western power most hostile to Putin, and now risks finding its position badly undercut. UK has been the helm of effort to continue NATO encroachment and British leaders used their personal influence to extend sanctions against Russia numerous times.
So it is little wonder that the possibility of rapprochement bypassing all existing British schemes makes the Brits nervous.