Kirill Benediktov
Charlie Kirk (and the youthful part of MAGA that he represented) was one of those rare US politicians with whom it was possible to establish normal relations on the basis of the protection of traditional values.
The fact that no steps in this direction have been taken so far (on our part) is due to the long-standing fixation of the Russian elites on the US Democratic Party and the financial centers associated with it. Neither the Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor the Kremlin knows how to (or perhaps does not want to) work with the American right. This is a major strategic miscalculation.
In order to normalize relations between Russia and the United States, it is necessary to constantly and diligently work with conservatives, especially young people whose minds have not yet been completely contaminated by propaganda. Yes, Kirk has spoken about Russia as a gangster-run autocracy, but if he and other leaders of the MAGA youth wing were given the opportunity to see Russia with their own eyes (at least like Tucker Carlson), their opinions might change.
But our superiors are afraid to get involved with American conservatives. It’s better to work with liberal Democrats, as they are simpler and more understandable. They are also historically closer to a significant portion of our elite.
The killing has drawn condemnation across the political spectrum in the US, UK and beyond, while Russian diplomacy remained silent.
Yuri Chekalin
Tatiana Kasatkina
