Why in news?
There is an ongoing investigations on Russian involvement to tamper the American Presidential elections.
How did the case unfold?
- The Controvesy - First signs of Russian complicity in hacking the emails of Hillary came when Mr. Trump began to speak of friendly relations with Russia.
- The situation snowballed into a crisis post-election, and Mr.Trump faces charges of colluding with a foreign government to rig the election in his favour.
- Notably, former Presidents Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton faced similar charges in the impeachment proceedings against them.
- Investigation - The investigation began with the appointment of Robert Mueller, as Special Counsel by the Justice Department.
- Also two Congressional committees were constituted for the same.
- Evidence is mounting that Mr. Trump’s camp colluded with the Russians to gather information about Ms. Clinton.
- The allegation is that Mr.Trump’s close aides met with several other Russians during the campaign trail.
- Based on these initial leads, Mr.Trump’s campaign chairman, Mr. Paul Manafort became the first Republican to be accused.
What is the impact on bilateral ties?
- As the Special Prosecutor closes in on the President, U.S.-Russia relations are on a downward spiral.
- The U.S. sanctions against Russia, tensions in Syria & Korean Peninsula, and the stalemate over Ukraine are problems that defy solutions.
- Mr.Putin recently deplored what he termed an “unprecedented” anti-Russia campaign in the U.S.
- As Russian diplomatic facilities were closed and Russia media has been stifled by US authorities, Putin has promised a symmetrical counter response.
How does the future look?
- Russia probably did meddled in the U.S. elections.
- But even if the Mueller investigation throws up evidence, the President might turn out to be not guilty.
- As it is highly improbable to pin the investigations directly down till the president, an impeachment is not likely on this account.
- But the shadow such evidence casts on elections in the U.S. and U.S.-Russia relations will be dark and deep.
Source: The Hindu
