Posted on 11/27/2018 3:23:15 PM PST by tlozo
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he may cancel his scheduled meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit in Argentina because of Russia's maritime clash with Ukraine. "Maybe I won't have the meeting. Maybe I won't even have the meeting. I don't like that aggression. I don't want that aggression at all," Trump told the Washington Post in an interview. The Russian navy fired on two Ukrainian naval vessels and rammed a third on Sunday in the Kerch Strait, which connects the Sea of Azov and Black Sea. It then captured the three vessels and the 23 sailors on board, six of whom were wounded in the incident. The three Ukrainian vessels tried to pass through the strait and had given notice to the Russians, according to The Associated Press... Ukraine has since declared martial law in 10 of the country's regions, and a Russian court has also ordered 12 of the 23 captured sailors to be held in custody for two months.
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
It's only been around for 20 years.
Assuming that Trump attends the G20 to begin with I think the Putin meeting will still take place.
And why in God’s name is he giving an interview to the Washington Post to begin with?
And why in Gods name is he giving an interview to the Washington Post to begin with?
<><>
That’s a very good question.
Trump is smart, much smarter than I realized when I voted for him.
The interview is fine. He says the right acceptable things but he operates based on what the US needs. The Ukraine and Russia have been historic enemies and I think hes signaling that we dont want to get dragged into this.
Donald Trump slammed President Obama Thursday on TODAY for failing to take a stronger line against President Vladimir Putin in dealing with Ukraine, saying he feared Obama would now make up for lost time with imprudent moves to "show his manhood."
The real estate mogul and reality-TV star, who has criticized Putin for sending military troops into Crimea, said Obama must now take fierce steps to prevent the situation from escalating further.
"We should definitely do sanctions and we have to show some strengths. I mean, Putin has eaten Obama's lunch, therefore our lunch, for a long period of time," Trump said. ..."
http://www.today.com/news/donald-trump-putin-has-eaten-obamas-lunch-ukraine-2D79372098
_______________________________________________
Heres the interview w/ Matt Lauer on YouTube...
Donald Trump (2014): Vladimir Putin Has Eaten Obamas Lunch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzURUENf1ns
___________________________________________________
LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said NATO was obsolete because it had not defended against terror attacks, but that the military alliance was still very important to him, The Times of London reported.
I took such heat, when I said NATO was obsolete, Trump told the newspaper in an interview. Its obsolete because it wasnt taking care of terror. I took a lot of heat for two days. And then they started saying Trump is right.
Trump added that many NATO members were not paying their fair share for U.S. protection.
A lot of these countries arent paying what theyre supposed to be paying, which I think is very unfair to the United States, Trump said. With that being said, NATO is very important to me. Theres five countries that are paying what theyre supposed to. Five. Its not much.
__________________________________________________________
When Donald Trump and I observe that, as Ive said, in Syria, in Iran, in Ukraine, that the small and bullying leader of Russia has been stronger on the world stage than this administration, thats stating painful facts. Thats not an endorsement of Vladimir Putin thats an indictment of the weak and feckless leadership of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. ..."
What were dealing with is the you know, theres an old proverb that says the Russian bear never dies, it just hibernates.
And the truth of the matter is, the weak and feckless foreign policy of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama has awakened an aggression in Russia that first appeared a few years ago with their move in Georgia, now their move into Crimea, now their move into the wider Middle East.
Thousands of soldiers and sailors took part in the traditional parade on the 72nd anniversary of German surrender in WWII. President Putin said Russian soliders "manifest courage and heroism.".
Around 10,000 troops marched through Moscow's Red Square for the central parade, with smaller events organized in St. Petersburg and other Russian cities.
_____________________________________
Russian president, Vladimir "KGB/FSB" Putin
McGruff, everyone knows you’re the leader of the KGB Putin fan club.
I watched video of Ukraine citizens throwing local politicians in the garbage cans over their frustration over something. I assume they want the Russians back, but the US is backing the anti-Russia factions.
IMO, we should butt out. It is not in our hemisphere, it is not our business. How about we worry about Central and South America? Let the “muscular” Europeens deal with it.
This is all for show. For cryin’-out-loud the Russians seized a tugboat! The Ukrainian navy goes through the Kerch Strait all the time. Here’s what’s going on:
1.) Putin is testing Trump. If Trump backs down, Putin becomes more aggressive.
2.) Putin has to rally the citizens. Their economy is stagnant if not sinking. Oil is currently priced at around $50/barrel. They need it at $108 to balance their budget. The oligarchs will not be happy.
3.). Petro Poroshenko, Ukraine’s president, is slipping in the polls as his re-election bid is in March. Gotta show the citizens you’re a tough guy.
Anyway, the Ukrainians are not rioting or protesting. They’re going about their daily business because they know what this is all about. Just a show.
You make good, valid points.
Might be helpful to know the context and nuances of the words, “...in an interview with the Washington Post”.... before streaking one’s undies.
Might be helpful to look at the Washington Post website this morning where their complete Trump interview is posted before checking out someone else's undies.
Duly noted - apologies.
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.