Is Trump wise to meet Putin again?

Trump wants to meet with Putin even though some officials are advising against it. So the get-together WILL happen at the Asian economic summit in Vietnam towards the end of the president's round-Asia trip. The last time they met was at the G20 summit in Hamburg in July. So, in my view, it would be pretty pathetic for Trump to snub Putin this time round just because of all the headlines back home about Russia's interference in the US presidential election and the alleged collusion between Trump's campaign team and Moscow. All the diplomats who are apparently warning off Trump from meeting Putin this month are playing the ultimate cautious game, like diplomats generally do. But if Trump and Putin are in the same building at the Da Nang summit, then they should have a bilateral. That's what big power leaders are supposed to do. The other reservation being put about is that a meeting with Putin will get nowhere. It's true that the US and Russia are at opposite ends of the political spectrum over Syria, for example, and there's little chance of a sudden meeting of minds about a future government in Damascus. But surely there's no harm in trying. There are many examples in the past where personal chemistry between two leaders has helped to broker unexpected deals. Trump is having a terrible time at home but there's no reason why he shouldn't have a good session with Putin and emerge with something of value. Never mind the Robert Mueller Russia investigation, Mr President, use whatever skills and instincts you have to make a difference in Syria. There HAS to be a compromise deal somewhere in the advising brainpower available to both Trump and Putin to make sense of the political anarchy in that poor country which has been ravaged for too long by war and killing. So Syria should be at the top of the agenda, with a close second, North Korea. Russia shares a border with North Korea and has every reason to ensure he regime ruled by Kim Jong-un does not become a fully fledged nuclear weapon power. My view, as outlined in previous blogs, is that Kim will do whatever it takes to get his nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile arsenal primed and ready for launch to deter the US from attacking his nuclear facilities. So, it may be too late for an inspired solution to stop him. But, again, if Trump and Putin and their best nuclear/diplomatic brains can work something out and present a package of measures to Kim, who knows! This is being optimistic, I know, but right now in this deteriorating world, we need a burst of optimism and, my goodness, Trump needs a break from all the flak back home. Much of America and the world think Trump is a walking disaster, but he is the elected president of the United States and has huge power at his fingertips. This Asia trip MUST produce a breakthrough somewhere, and perhaps, just maybe, a Trump/Putin love-in might push things along in the right direction. So go for it, Mr President. Prove to all your detractors that you have the right stuff! My fingers are crossed.