http://edition.cnn.com/2017/07/07/opinions/trump-fell-for-putins-trap-psaki/index.html
Putin set a trap and Trump fell into it
By Jen Psaki
Updated 0509 GMT (1309 HKT) July 8, 2017
Breaking down Trump and Putin's first meeting
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BERLIN, GERMANY - OCTOBER 19: Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting to discuss the Ukrainian peace process at the German federal Chancellery on October 19, 2016 in Berlin, Germany. The leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany, known as the Normandy Four, met in Berlin to discuss implementation of the peace plan known as the Minsk Protocol, a roadmap for resolving the conflict in Ukraine after Russian forces invaded in 2014 and annexed the peninsula of Crimea. The United States has threatened renewed sanctions on Russia if the country did not either implement the plan in the coming months or arrive at a plan on how to do so. (Photo by Adam Berry/Getty Images)
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US President Donald Trump and Russia's President Vladimir Putin shake hands during a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany, on July 7, 2017. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)
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US President Donald Trump and Russia's President Vladimir Putin hold a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany, on July 7, 2017. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)
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President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 Summit, Friday, July 7, 2017, in Hamburg. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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BERLIN, GERMANY - OCTOBER 19: Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting to discuss the Ukrainian peace process at the German federal Chancellery on October 19, 2016 in Berlin, Germany. The leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany, known as the Normandy Four, met in Berlin to discuss implementation of the peace plan known as the Minsk Protocol, a roadmap for resolving the conflict in Ukraine after Russian forces invaded in 2014 and annexed the peninsula of Crimea. The United States has threatened renewed sanctions on Russia if the country did not either implement the plan in the coming months or arrive at a plan on how to do so. (Photo by Adam Berry/Getty Images)
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US russia trump putin relations orig_00001404.jpg
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Trump respects Putin, says US is not innocent
US President Donald Trump and Russia's President Vladimir Putin shake hands during a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany, on July 7, 2017. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)
Breaking down Trump & Putin's first meeting
Putin and Lavrov laugh about the US
Trump Putin G20 handshake_00000000.jpg
Trump, Putin shake hands at G20
US President Donald Trump and Russia's President Vladimir Putin hold a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany, on July 7, 2017. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)
Tillerson: Trump, Putin reach Syria agreement
President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 Summit, Friday, July 7, 2017, in Hamburg. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Trump meets with Putin
Things Trump has said about Putin
trump putin us russia trade
Trump, Putin jab each other on eve of meeting
Story highlights
Jen Psaki says a lack of preparation by the US gave Russia an easy victory
On paper, Putin should not have had the upper hand going into the meeting, she writes
"Jen Psaki, a CNN political commentator and spring fellow at the Georgetown University Institute of Politics and Public Service, was the White House communications director and State Department spokeswoman during the Obama administration. She also was a consultant for Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Follow her: @jrpsaki. The opinions expressed in this commentary are hers."
(CNN)The Russians just played the President. It was predictable. And he let it happen.
On paper, Vladimir Putin should not have had the upper hand going into the meeting.
To start with, Russia has been living with sanctions put in place more than three years ago because of their annexation of Crimea.
And most Americans, save a few people including the President of the United States, are confident that Putin led the Russian intervention into the American election and into many other elections around the world.
Jen Psaki
Jen Psaki
President Obama booted out nearly three dozen spies in December and closed two compounds, and there are many, from both parties, calling for an additional round of sanctions on Russia.
We should have had some leverage. So what happened?
To start with, the Russians are skilled public manipulators.
When I was at the State Department, the country that was easiest for our team to work with on logistics -- whether it was access to the press, or when to do statements or take questions -- were the Russians. They understand, better than most, the importance of the public side of diplomacy. It made planning easy, but it also required on-the-fly adjustments to make sure that the Russians didn't read out meetings or characterize conversations without the perspective of the United States. And they still got the best of us from time to time.
They know how to stage-manage and how to set the expectations for global events. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is a smooth operator who knows how to charm cameras and international audiences. He is visible at international events and followed by a gaggle of adoring state-run media. He also rarely shies away from answering questions, holding press conferences, or reading out meetings. He has been on the international scene as foreign minister for 13 years, and as the UN ambassador for 10 years before that, and it shows.
A great day for Putin, a good one for Trump
A great day for Putin, a good one for Trump
Putin may have less of a warm diplomatic bedside manner, but he understands the art of presentation and how to set a trap.
And set a trap is exactly what he just did.
The Russians telegraphed in advance of the meeting that their agenda was to 1) publicly mend the relationship, 2) gain a better understanding of US policy, and 3) discuss joint concerns over terrorism. They scored on all three.
Their previewing kept expectations low and made clear that there simply would not be enough time to talk about Ukraine.
And how did the United States preview the meeting and set the table for the most important diplomatic engagement this summer?
Coons: Trump raising election meddling with Putin 'long overdue'
Coons: Trump raising election meddling with Putin 'long overdue' 03:16
Just yesterday, President Donald Trump questioned the validity of American intelligence on foreign soil and then questioned whether other countries or actors were involved in the hacking.
But before that, H.R. McMaster, the President's national security adviser, previewed the meeting with President Putin by saying there was "no specific agenda -- it's really going to be whatever the President wants to talk about."
The problem is that the expectation-setting and previewing of important diplomatic meetings does more than just fill wire reports and cable air time. It sends the message about what the United States expects to accomplish, how prepared we are for the engagement and also puts the difficult topics on the table that are the core purpose of these meetings.
We did a background briefing with policy experts in advance of nearly every trip Secretary John Kerry did when I was at the State Department. These briefings were often on the plane late at night or early in the morning, sometimes at Andrews Air Force Base and even on the ground. They were demanded by the press corps, but also benefitted the United States because they allowed us to set the table for our engagements.
Things Trump has said about Putin
Things Trump has said about Putin 01:27
Immediately following the meeting, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson appeared on television making clear that President Trump had repeatedly raised Russian meddling in the meeting. That sounded like a positive development until he said President Trump has decided to focus on "how do we move forward from something that may be an intractable disagreement at this point."
This statement was quickly followed by Foreign Minister Lavrov appearing on television to say that President Putin had denied involvement, Trump said reports of meddling were exaggerated and he accepted Putin's denials.
Leading American intelligence agencies, Republicans and Democrats in Congress and many members of his own administration are confident that the Russians intervened in the American election last year. But a simple assurance from President Putin overrides that.
You don't get a lot of shots at pressure in diplomacy. And after you've let your adversary off the hook, you certainly don't get to apply that pressure again. As far as the Russians are concerned, the public case is closed.
Follow CNN Opinion
Join us on Twitter and Facebook
The problem is that the free public pass doesn't make it harder for Russians to proceed with their ongoing efforts to intervene in American democracy, to create confusion and disarray in our system.
And there are ample opportunities.
There are two governor's elections this November, and an additional 36 in 2018. There are 34 Senate seats up in 2018 and every single seat in the House of Representatives. Not to mention that just last year, the Russians potentially hacked into 21 states' electoral systems.
And instead of presenting evidence during his meeting with President Putin and making clear that he would stand with Democrats and Republicans and the leading intelligence agencies, Trump accepted the assurances of Putin all while smiling in front of the cameras. And the Russians have photos -- that they are already expertly spreading around the Internet -- to prove it.
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CNN User just now
The writer wants to just shut off all diplomatic channels with Russia that we have many issues to deal with just because her master Clinton got affected in the election due to alleged Russian meddling? Let us be aware that this MSM and its journos are working hard to create a schism between Russia-US and therefore bring misery to the world just because they have been made fools in the eyes of public for serving a loser in election,.
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jw 1 minute ago
Thank God, we have Cnn to save us. Jen was an incompetent clown while at the State Department and the Trump administration must undo the damage done by the overmatched democratic inexperienced apologetic hacks. Trump has a lot of problems but at least he will not sell( or give billions) to our enemies.
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Park-It 3 minutes ago
Trump, following Obama again. creating a cease fire no one will follow.
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lucas 7 minutes ago
I stopped at ”When I was at the State Department, ...".
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CNN User 6 minutes ago
@lucas Seven words is your limit?
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Unfetteredreason 6 minutes ago
Funny, I paused there too...say goodbye Clinton hacks....
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Unfetteredreason 8 minutes ago
Gee some trap if it puts the entire thing to bed and we can go on with the "real" business of putting Russia in its place before they end up in a shooting war with NATO. I find it laughable that CNN chooses to cover speculation over facts....again
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FlyingBasil 3 minutes ago
@Unfetteredreason thats exactly the kind of thinking that will get us all to a shooting war with NATO.
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DI 8 minutes ago
Trump abuse of power.
Trump mentally sick.
Trump is the "Liar in Chief"
Impeachment now.
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Onevote 10 minutes ago
It's unbelievable that his National Security Advisor doesn't have what it is supposed to take to be firm with this guy. He is military, so he is very familiar with Putin and his 20 years of experience!
There has to be something wrong with Trump to not even want to go into a meeting like this having done his homework!
He said he could fix things all by himself! Well he sure has fixed things alright! He's 71 years old and around long enough to have the knowledge of what Putin and the Russians are made of! He's either beyond delusional or 's selling us out to benefit hi!self and others! Couldn't be clearer!
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Park-It 11 minutes ago
Trump accepts Putin's denial of election interference all the while he blames Obama for doing nothing about the Russian interference.
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Gaunt 1 minute ago
While in fact Obama did a huge amount about it, and Trump has done nothing.
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CNN User 18 minutes ago
And what about North Korea? Just Chill?
Sure, the GOP health care bill will kill more Americans than NK nukes could, but the Koreas could trigger something bigger.
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FlyingBasil 8 minutes ago
@CNN User according to a press brief from Lavrov, they talked about Syria a lot (and imposed new peace zones with both countries being in charge). Funny how CNN almost forgets about it, as it is a huge win for Trump.
They also talked about Ukraine and Korea, but there are no details.
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http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/341084-trump-meeting-with-putin-tremendous
Trump: Meeting with Putin ‘tremendous’
By Alicia Cohn - 07/08/17 06:21 AM EDT
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Trump: Meeting with Putin ‘tremendous’
President Trump on Saturday did not clarify details regarding his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin the previous day, saying only that it was “tremendous.”
Although the highly-anticipated meeting on Friday lasted more than two hours - which was nearly two hours longer than it was scheduled - details about what the two world leaders discussed have been scant. Accounts shared by Russian and U.S. officials significantly differ.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Trump repeatedly pressed Putin regarding possible Russian interference in the 2016 election, an issue currently under FBI and congressional investigation in the U.S.
“The two leaders agreed that this is a substantial hindrance on the ability of us to move Russian-U.S. relationships forward and agreed to exchange further work regarding commitments of noninterference in the affairs of the United States and our democratic process as well as those of other countries,” Tillerson said.
However, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov implied the topic was brief and not contentious.
"U.S. President Trump said that he heard firm assertions from Russian President Putin that it is not true and that Russian authorities have not meddled in the elections," Lavrov said. “[Trump] said that he accepts these assertions. That's it.”
Trump’s critics including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) slammed Trump following the meeting for taking a weak position with Putin by giving him the benefit of the doubt on Russian hacking. Putin has denied the Kremlin was involved in election interference.
“To give equal credence to the findings of the American Intelligence Community and the assertion by Mr. Putin is a grave dereliction of duty and will only encourage Russia to further interfere in our elections in the future,” Schumer said.
Multiple U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded Russia did attempt to interfere in the election, although officials do not believe results were influenced.
The president has not described the meeting with Putin other than to call it “tremendous.” He made the comment during another meeting with a world leader, British Prime Minister Theresa May, during the ongoing Group of 20 talks in Germany.
Putin set a trap and Trump fell into it
By Jen Psaki
Updated 0509 GMT (1309 HKT) July 8, 2017
Breaking down Trump and Putin's first meeting
Now Playing Breaking down Trump &...
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BERLIN, GERMANY - OCTOBER 19: Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting to discuss the Ukrainian peace process at the German federal Chancellery on October 19, 2016 in Berlin, Germany. The leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany, known as the Normandy Four, met in Berlin to discuss implementation of the peace plan known as the Minsk Protocol, a roadmap for resolving the conflict in Ukraine after Russian forces invaded in 2014 and annexed the peninsula of Crimea. The United States has threatened renewed sanctions on Russia if the country did not either implement the plan in the coming months or arrive at a plan on how to do so. (Photo by Adam Berry/Getty Images)
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US President Donald Trump and Russia's President Vladimir Putin shake hands during a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany, on July 7, 2017. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)
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President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 Summit, Friday, July 7, 2017, in Hamburg. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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BERLIN, GERMANY - OCTOBER 19: Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting to discuss the Ukrainian peace process at the German federal Chancellery on October 19, 2016 in Berlin, Germany. The leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany, known as the Normandy Four, met in Berlin to discuss implementation of the peace plan known as the Minsk Protocol, a roadmap for resolving the conflict in Ukraine after Russian forces invaded in 2014 and annexed the peninsula of Crimea. The United States has threatened renewed sanctions on Russia if the country did not either implement the plan in the coming months or arrive at a plan on how to do so. (Photo by Adam Berry/Getty Images)
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US President Donald Trump and Russia's President Vladimir Putin shake hands during a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany, on July 7, 2017. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)
Breaking down Trump & Putin's first meeting
Putin and Lavrov laugh about the US
Trump Putin G20 handshake_00000000.jpg
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US President Donald Trump and Russia's President Vladimir Putin hold a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany, on July 7, 2017. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)
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President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 Summit, Friday, July 7, 2017, in Hamburg. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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Trump, Putin jab each other on eve of meeting
Story highlights
Jen Psaki says a lack of preparation by the US gave Russia an easy victory
On paper, Putin should not have had the upper hand going into the meeting, she writes
"Jen Psaki, a CNN political commentator and spring fellow at the Georgetown University Institute of Politics and Public Service, was the White House communications director and State Department spokeswoman during the Obama administration. She also was a consultant for Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Follow her: @jrpsaki. The opinions expressed in this commentary are hers."
(CNN)The Russians just played the President. It was predictable. And he let it happen.
On paper, Vladimir Putin should not have had the upper hand going into the meeting.
To start with, Russia has been living with sanctions put in place more than three years ago because of their annexation of Crimea.
And most Americans, save a few people including the President of the United States, are confident that Putin led the Russian intervention into the American election and into many other elections around the world.
Jen Psaki
Jen Psaki
President Obama booted out nearly three dozen spies in December and closed two compounds, and there are many, from both parties, calling for an additional round of sanctions on Russia.
We should have had some leverage. So what happened?
To start with, the Russians are skilled public manipulators.
When I was at the State Department, the country that was easiest for our team to work with on logistics -- whether it was access to the press, or when to do statements or take questions -- were the Russians. They understand, better than most, the importance of the public side of diplomacy. It made planning easy, but it also required on-the-fly adjustments to make sure that the Russians didn't read out meetings or characterize conversations without the perspective of the United States. And they still got the best of us from time to time.
They know how to stage-manage and how to set the expectations for global events. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is a smooth operator who knows how to charm cameras and international audiences. He is visible at international events and followed by a gaggle of adoring state-run media. He also rarely shies away from answering questions, holding press conferences, or reading out meetings. He has been on the international scene as foreign minister for 13 years, and as the UN ambassador for 10 years before that, and it shows.
A great day for Putin, a good one for Trump
A great day for Putin, a good one for Trump
Putin may have less of a warm diplomatic bedside manner, but he understands the art of presentation and how to set a trap.
And set a trap is exactly what he just did.
The Russians telegraphed in advance of the meeting that their agenda was to 1) publicly mend the relationship, 2) gain a better understanding of US policy, and 3) discuss joint concerns over terrorism. They scored on all three.
Their previewing kept expectations low and made clear that there simply would not be enough time to talk about Ukraine.
And how did the United States preview the meeting and set the table for the most important diplomatic engagement this summer?
Coons: Trump raising election meddling with Putin 'long overdue'
Coons: Trump raising election meddling with Putin 'long overdue' 03:16
Just yesterday, President Donald Trump questioned the validity of American intelligence on foreign soil and then questioned whether other countries or actors were involved in the hacking.
But before that, H.R. McMaster, the President's national security adviser, previewed the meeting with President Putin by saying there was "no specific agenda -- it's really going to be whatever the President wants to talk about."
The problem is that the expectation-setting and previewing of important diplomatic meetings does more than just fill wire reports and cable air time. It sends the message about what the United States expects to accomplish, how prepared we are for the engagement and also puts the difficult topics on the table that are the core purpose of these meetings.
We did a background briefing with policy experts in advance of nearly every trip Secretary John Kerry did when I was at the State Department. These briefings were often on the plane late at night or early in the morning, sometimes at Andrews Air Force Base and even on the ground. They were demanded by the press corps, but also benefitted the United States because they allowed us to set the table for our engagements.
Things Trump has said about Putin
Things Trump has said about Putin 01:27
Immediately following the meeting, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson appeared on television making clear that President Trump had repeatedly raised Russian meddling in the meeting. That sounded like a positive development until he said President Trump has decided to focus on "how do we move forward from something that may be an intractable disagreement at this point."
This statement was quickly followed by Foreign Minister Lavrov appearing on television to say that President Putin had denied involvement, Trump said reports of meddling were exaggerated and he accepted Putin's denials.
Leading American intelligence agencies, Republicans and Democrats in Congress and many members of his own administration are confident that the Russians intervened in the American election last year. But a simple assurance from President Putin overrides that.
You don't get a lot of shots at pressure in diplomacy. And after you've let your adversary off the hook, you certainly don't get to apply that pressure again. As far as the Russians are concerned, the public case is closed.
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Join us on Twitter and Facebook
The problem is that the free public pass doesn't make it harder for Russians to proceed with their ongoing efforts to intervene in American democracy, to create confusion and disarray in our system.
And there are ample opportunities.
There are two governor's elections this November, and an additional 36 in 2018. There are 34 Senate seats up in 2018 and every single seat in the House of Representatives. Not to mention that just last year, the Russians potentially hacked into 21 states' electoral systems.
And instead of presenting evidence during his meeting with President Putin and making clear that he would stand with Democrats and Republicans and the leading intelligence agencies, Trump accepted the assurances of Putin all while smiling in front of the cameras. And the Russians have photos -- that they are already expertly spreading around the Internet -- to prove it.
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CNN User just now
The writer wants to just shut off all diplomatic channels with Russia that we have many issues to deal with just because her master Clinton got affected in the election due to alleged Russian meddling? Let us be aware that this MSM and its journos are working hard to create a schism between Russia-US and therefore bring misery to the world just because they have been made fools in the eyes of public for serving a loser in election,.
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Avatar for jw
jw 1 minute ago
Thank God, we have Cnn to save us. Jen was an incompetent clown while at the State Department and the Trump administration must undo the damage done by the overmatched democratic inexperienced apologetic hacks. Trump has a lot of problems but at least he will not sell( or give billions) to our enemies.
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Park-It 3 minutes ago
Trump, following Obama again. creating a cease fire no one will follow.
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lucas 7 minutes ago
I stopped at ”When I was at the State Department, ...".
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CNN User 6 minutes ago
@lucas Seven words is your limit?
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Unfetteredreason 6 minutes ago
Funny, I paused there too...say goodbye Clinton hacks....
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Unfetteredreason 8 minutes ago
Gee some trap if it puts the entire thing to bed and we can go on with the "real" business of putting Russia in its place before they end up in a shooting war with NATO. I find it laughable that CNN chooses to cover speculation over facts....again
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FlyingBasil 3 minutes ago
@Unfetteredreason thats exactly the kind of thinking that will get us all to a shooting war with NATO.
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Avatar for DI
DI 8 minutes ago
Trump abuse of power.
Trump mentally sick.
Trump is the "Liar in Chief"
Impeachment now.
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Onevote 10 minutes ago
It's unbelievable that his National Security Advisor doesn't have what it is supposed to take to be firm with this guy. He is military, so he is very familiar with Putin and his 20 years of experience!
There has to be something wrong with Trump to not even want to go into a meeting like this having done his homework!
He said he could fix things all by himself! Well he sure has fixed things alright! He's 71 years old and around long enough to have the knowledge of what Putin and the Russians are made of! He's either beyond delusional or 's selling us out to benefit hi!self and others! Couldn't be clearer!
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Park-It 11 minutes ago
Trump accepts Putin's denial of election interference all the while he blames Obama for doing nothing about the Russian interference.
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Gaunt 1 minute ago
While in fact Obama did a huge amount about it, and Trump has done nothing.
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CNN User 18 minutes ago
And what about North Korea? Just Chill?
Sure, the GOP health care bill will kill more Americans than NK nukes could, but the Koreas could trigger something bigger.
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FlyingBasil 8 minutes ago
@CNN User according to a press brief from Lavrov, they talked about Syria a lot (and imposed new peace zones with both countries being in charge). Funny how CNN almost forgets about it, as it is a huge win for Trump.
They also talked about Ukraine and Korea, but there are no details.
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Avatar for Sterndust
http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/341084-trump-meeting-with-putin-tremendous
Trump: Meeting with Putin ‘tremendous’
By Alicia Cohn - 07/08/17 06:21 AM EDT
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Trump: Meeting with Putin ‘tremendous’
President Trump on Saturday did not clarify details regarding his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin the previous day, saying only that it was “tremendous.”
Although the highly-anticipated meeting on Friday lasted more than two hours - which was nearly two hours longer than it was scheduled - details about what the two world leaders discussed have been scant. Accounts shared by Russian and U.S. officials significantly differ.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Trump repeatedly pressed Putin regarding possible Russian interference in the 2016 election, an issue currently under FBI and congressional investigation in the U.S.
“The two leaders agreed that this is a substantial hindrance on the ability of us to move Russian-U.S. relationships forward and agreed to exchange further work regarding commitments of noninterference in the affairs of the United States and our democratic process as well as those of other countries,” Tillerson said.
However, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov implied the topic was brief and not contentious.
"U.S. President Trump said that he heard firm assertions from Russian President Putin that it is not true and that Russian authorities have not meddled in the elections," Lavrov said. “[Trump] said that he accepts these assertions. That's it.”
Trump’s critics including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) slammed Trump following the meeting for taking a weak position with Putin by giving him the benefit of the doubt on Russian hacking. Putin has denied the Kremlin was involved in election interference.
“To give equal credence to the findings of the American Intelligence Community and the assertion by Mr. Putin is a grave dereliction of duty and will only encourage Russia to further interfere in our elections in the future,” Schumer said.
Multiple U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded Russia did attempt to interfere in the election, although officials do not believe results were influenced.
The president has not described the meeting with Putin other than to call it “tremendous.” He made the comment during another meeting with a world leader, British Prime Minister Theresa May, during the ongoing Group of 20 talks in Germany.
