Posted on 12/23/2016 6:47:16 AM PST by Helicondelta
President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia said on Friday that a statement by Donald J. Trump, the American president-elect, that the United States should expand its nuclear capabilities was not a surprise because he had said the same thing during the election campaign.
Asked about the American election, Mr. Putin, who has made no secret of his distaste for Hillary Clinton, said her defeat was a “humiliation” for the Democratic Party.
The Russian president, speaking at his annual marathon news conference, also said that Russia would continue to modernize its armed forces, including nuclear weapons, but he added that the level of spending would diminish somewhat in coming years.
..
On the American election, Mr. Putin said the Democrats were trying to blame their defeat on external factors like Russia. He said his popularity among American Republicans was not personal, but a reflection of their worldview.
“It means that a significant part of the American people have the same perception about how the world should be developing,” he said. “It is good that people support us in this, in terms of traditional values.” He said it was a good basis for improving Russian-American relations.
Mr. Putin mocked recent statements by President Obama and others that former President Ronald Reagan would be turning in his grave over the support for Russia and for Mr. Putin among Republicans.
If anything, he said, it would be former presidents like Franklin D. Roosevelt who would be turning in their graves over the losses suffered by the Democratic Party.
Mr. Roosevelt united the country, Mr. Putin said, but “the current administration divides it.”
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
phoneman08 - Very true. Thing is their society is sustained by oil revenue. Drive down the price, and keep em busy looking for something to eat rather than spreading their hateful religion.
This. Open the spigot and put the ME out of business.
Russia is a country strangely lacking in self-confidence. They have produced brilliant scientists and engineers. They have been trailblazers in space. They gave us a very energetic run for our money during the Cold War. Their nation is awash in natural resources.
They should be brimming with optimism for their future, but they are not. Thus they have slipped into old, bitter, paranoid ways.
“But, make no mistake, they’re not our “friends.” We share common interests, at the moment.”
They may not be our friends, but they are certainly not our natural enemy...like China.
“If Trump can find a way to get Russia out of Ukraine”
There is NO US national interest in Ukraine. Why would the citizens of America care if Russia subsumes it’s traditional sphere, inclusive of Ukraine?
I, for one, believe Ukraine would benefit greatly by a little law, order and stability.
So the U.S. has no “traditional sphere,” whatever that is today, but you are allowing Russia one. How gracious of you.
You make it sound like the captive nations were not captives at all. See my other comment above.
We should try to work with Putin and have a friendly relationship with them. That said, Putin should stay out of Ukraine and they are on the wrong side with Iran.
Ukraine has been an independent nation since 1991. It's up Ukraine themselves what they want.
What you said! I have met enough of them to believe that they should an ally. At least at a personal level because they are much like us in many ways.
The US absolutely has a traditional sphere of influence.
Have you heard of the Monroe Doctrine or the Cuban Missile Crisis?If Trump can find a way to get Russia out of Ukraine
And any country in the world where American military blood was spilt in quantity. That is our sphere.
Why did you assume that I don’t believe the US has one, and then post it?
Are you imparting an assumed intent?
Russia invaded Crimea and are supporting Rebels in Ukraine. Short of outside assistance, Ukraine is in Russia’s sphere of influence, whether they like it or not. Please let me know if you think I’m looking at this upside down.
bfl
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.