Trump sits down with Putin after denouncing past U.S. policy on Russia

[snoop1130]

Trump sits down with Putin after denouncing past U.S. policy on Russia

By Jeff Mason, Andrew Osborn

 

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia's President Vladimir Putin shake hands as they meet in Helsinki, Finland July 16, 2018. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

 

HELSINKI (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin arrived at the presidential palace in Finland for a long-awaited summit on Monday after Trump blamed Washington’s own past “foolishness and stupidity” for bad relations.

 

The Russian foreign ministry “liked” Trump’s comments on Twitter ahead of the summit, in which Trump denounced the investigation into Russian meddling in American elections as well as previous U.S. policy.

 

“Our relationship with Russia has NEVER been worse thanks to many years of U.S. foolishness and stupidity and now, the Rigged Witch Hunt!” wrote Trump.

 

The two leaders were due to start their summit in the Finland capital Helsinki with no one else in the room apart from interpreters. They were scheduled to hold a working lunch accompanied by aides later on Monday before speaking to media.

 

The Kremlin said it did not expect much from the meeting but hoped it would be a “first step” to resolving a crisis in ties.

 

“Presidents Trump and Putin respect each other and they get along well,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. “There is no clear agenda. It will be determined by the heads of state themselves as they go along.”

 

The summit comes at a time when relations between the two superpowers are widely seen on both sides to be at their lowest point since the Cold War. Trump has repeatedly said it would be in the U.S. interest to improve those ties.

 

Critics and Trump’s own advisers have urged Trump to use the summit to press Putin hard about “malign” activities, from annexing Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula to interfering in Western elections, to poisoning a spy in England, which Moscow denies.

 

During a breakfast meeting with Finland’s president before the meeting with Putin in the Finnish capital, Trump appeared upbeat. Asked what he would say to Putin, Trump said: “We’ll do just fine, thank you.”

 

While Trump has been abroad since last week, the special prosecutor investigating allegations that Russia interfered to help him win the 2016 presidential election indicted 12 Russians on Friday for stealing Democratic Party documents.

 

“WHICH TEAM DO YOU PLAY FOR?”

 

Trump’s foes at home have been scathing about his apparent refusal to criticise Putin. His 2016 opponent Hillary Clinton tweeted: “Great World Cup. Question for President Trump as he meets Putin: Do you know which team you play for?”

 

Russia denies interfering in the U.S. presidential election. The state RIA news agency quoted a Russian source as saying Moscow was “ready to discuss, ready to undertake mutual obligations of non-intervention into internal matters”.

 

Trump has said he will raise the election meddling but does not expect to get anywhere. He has repeatedly noted that Putin denies it, while also saying that it is alleged to have taken place before he became president.

 

For Putin, that the summit is even happening despite Russia’s semi-pariah status among some Americans and U.S. allies is a geopolitical win.

 

The countries are expected to discuss the prospect of extending a nuclear disarmament treaty, and the war in Syria, where Russian-backed forces of President Bashar al-Assad have advanced in the south of the country in recent weeks despite a ceasefire brokered by Moscow and Washington under Trump.

 

The summit caps a trip abroad during which Trump sternly criticised NATO allies for failing to spend enough on their militaries and embarrassed British Prime Minister Theresa May by saying she refused to take his advice about how to negotiate Britain’s exit from the EU. He referred to the European Union itself as a “foe” in trade, and repeatedly criticised it.

 

In some of the strongest words yet reflecting the unease of Washington’s traditional allies, Germany’s foreign minister said on Monday Europe could not rely on Trump.

 

“We can no longer completely rely on the White House,” Heiko Maas told the Funke newspaper group. “To maintain our partnership with the USA we must readjust it. The first clear consequence can only be that we need to align ourselves even more closely in Europe.”

 

Trump has predicted he will be accused of being too soft on Putin no matter how the summit goes.

 

“If I was given the great city of Moscow as retribution for all of the sins and evils committed by Russia...I would return to criticism that it wasn’t good enough – that I should have gotten Saint Petersburg in addition!” he tweeted on Sunday.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-7-16

 

 

[TVGerry]

Thank you for getting me elected, Mr. Putin sir!

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

11 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

The two leaders were due to start their summit in the Finland capital Helsinki with no one else in the room apart from interpreters.

 

I would imagine, the things the two of them are likely to talk about together, are not subjects that they'd want ANYONE else to know about.

 

Like Trump thanking Putin for his election as president.

Putin wanting to know when U.S. sanctions will be lifted.

Trump wanting to know when he'll be given the promised stake in the major Russian oil company.

And perhaps what's on the entertainment agenda for the next time Trump visits Moscow.

 

[ballpoint]

I pity those interpreters.  

[Guest]

Helsinki summit in a nutshell

 

[Opl]

" Russia Flaunts Their Criminal Conspiracy To Destroy Mueller By Retweeting Trump. ."

Donald J. Trump

 

✔ @realDonaldTrump

 

 

Our relationship with Russia has NEVER been worse thanks to many years of U.S. foolishness and stupidity and now, the Rigged Witch Hunt!

8:05 AM - Jul 16, 2018

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  45.2K
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  35K people are talking about this
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MFA Russia

 

✔ @mfa_russia

 

 

We agree

Donald J. Trump

 

✔ @realDonaldTrump

 

Our relationship with Russia has NEVER been worse thanks to many years of U.S. foolishness and stupidity and now, the Rigged Witch Hunt!

12:24 PM - Jul 16, 2018

•  
  2,079
•  
  2,967 people are talking about this

https://www.politicususa.com/2018/07/16/russia-flaunts-their-criminal-conspiracy-to-destroy-mueller-by-retweeting-trump.html

 

 

[Slip]

51 minutes ago, ELVIS123456 said:

Yet another step in the right direction and another step along the MAGA path.

 

But the liberal lefty Trump haters will never see it that way will they? 

They see all things like below and rational people think they are hilarious:

 

 

<snipped fake propaganda>

Traitorous fake president privately visits his handler for praise and instruction.

The left as well as those on the right who have not sold their country for their party/ their own skins are disgusted.

MAGAt posts fake photo to back up nonsensical point.

[mamypoko]

The undead meet

[Scott]

Troll post and replies removed.

 

[Opl]

"Trump attacks Mueller at joint press conference with Putin, advances conspiracy theories. HELSINKI — At a press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin on foreign soil, President Donald Trump attacked fellow Americans — Democrats, special counsel Robert Mueller and members of the news media — for damaging U.S.-Russia relations by pursuing questions about Moscow's efforts to help him win the presidency in 2016."

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-putin-questions-abound-ahead-helsinki-meeting-n891606

[jcsmith]

I couldn't help but to continually think after watching their comments after the meeting that Trump is 100% compromised. There's no doubt about it in my mind. 

[Opl]

Here are the 6 most jaw-dropping moments from the Trump-Putin press conference

https://www.rawstory.com/2018/07/6-jaw-dropping-moments-trump-putin-press-conference/

[neeray]

That's 0 for 2 now ! Kim has got hold of Trumps left nut and now Putin has the right nut. But actually, Putin has been squeezing for some time with whatever it is he has on Trump. The "art of the deal" man is definitely in a tight spot ! His little hands must be shaking.

[Jingthing]

3 hours ago, jcsmith said:

I couldn't help but to continually think after watching their comments after the meeting that Trump is 100% compromised. There's no doubt about it in my mind. 

It's out in the open now. Most rational people think there can only be two explanations for his bizarre behavior at the Surrender Summit.

 

-- Putin does actually have real Kompramat on "trump" which could be lots of things including pee pee tapes but not necessarily pee pee tapes. 

 

(OR)

 

-- "trump" is totally, outrageously INCOMPETENT.

 

Of course he was never qualified to be president in the first place and his competence is always going to be limited, but the Kompramat theory is really looking the most likely.

 

In either case, he should be removed from office ASAP. 

 

Americans that said early on he's not my President were really on to something! ??

 

Assuming he does make it to the midterm and republicans are still sticking with "trump" the traitor, it seems clear that a big part of the democratic attack on the trump-republicans is going to be the correct negative branding of "trump" as PUTIN'S POODLE. It's already started. 

Edited July 16, 2018 by Jingthing

[Credo]

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

It's out in the open now. Most rational people think there can only be two explanations for his bizarre behavior at the Surrender Summit.

 

-- Putin does actually have real Kompramat on "trump" which could be lots of things including pee pee tapes but not necessarily pee pee tapes. 

 

(OR)

 

-- "trump" is totally, outrageously INCOMPETENT.

 

Of course he was never qualified to be president in the first place and his competence is always going to be limited, but the Kompramat theory is really looking the most likely.

 

In either case, he should be removed from office ASAP. 

 

Americans that said early on he's not my President were really on to something! ??

 

Assuming he does make it to the midterm and republicans are still sticking with "trump" the traitor, it seems clear that a big part of the democratic attack on the trump-republicans is going to be the correct negative branding of "trump" as PUTIN'S POODLE. It's already started. 

It's not either or.   It could be both.   

[Jingthing]

2 minutes ago, Credo said:

It's not either or.   It could be both.   

I intimated already it could be both to a limited degree. Either one though means he needs to be removed. No patriotic American of any party should find it acceptable for him to stay in office after this. 

[neeray]

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

It's out in the open now. Most rational people think there can only be two explanations for his bizarre behavior at the Surrender Summit.

 

-- Putin does actually have real Kompramat on "trump" which could be lots of things including pee pee tapes but not necessarily pee pee tapes. 

 

(OR)

 

-- "trump" is totally, outrageously INCOMPETENT.

 

Of course he was never qualified to be president in the first place and his competence is always going to be limited, but the Kompramat theory is really looking the most likely.

 

In either case, he should be removed from office ASAP. 

 

Americans that said early on he's not my President were really on to something! ??

 

Assuming he does make it to the midterm and republicans are still sticking with "trump" the traitor, it seems clear that a big part of the democratic attack on the trump-republicans is going to be the correct negative branding of "trump" as PUTIN'S POODLE. It's already started. 

"PUTIN'S POODLE" or may I suggest "TREASONOUS TRUMP" !

[mtls2005]

Trump sits down with Putin after denouncing past U.S. policy on Russia

 

Headline corrected...

 

Trump kneels down to Putin after denouncing past U.S. policy on Russia

 

Heel boy. Good boy. Pat-pat. Here's a treat. Putin tugs on the leash.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BuaBS]

Trump was absolutely right , again. Telling the truth about US meddling and the fake investigation that is dragging along without any proof.

Trump 2020 !

[neeray]

26 minutes ago, BuaBS said:

Trump was absolutely right , again. Telling the truth about US meddling and the fake investigation that is dragging along without any proof.

Trump 2020 !

The day is coming BuaBS. We'll find out soon just how FAKE this investigation really was and who the FAKE really is.

[canuckamuck]

Everyone knows the FBI had an agenda to damage Trumps run. You think Trump is going to give any credit to their investigations? Once again Trump is being his own man and talking sense.  Why doesn't the FBI run an investigation into America's meddling with other countries elections and leadership. They would only need 15 minutes on Google to see the score. Makes Russia look like total noobs.

Edited July 17, 2018 by canuckamuck

[Boon Mee]

What Trump is saying is Give Peace a Chance. 

[Emster23]

Trump is such a media hog that he stole Putin's lines to add to his own "Hey, Donald, let me say some of this... what is left for me to say? I like cheeseburgers? I like enthusiastic employees, but it has limits." -Putin

[Opl]

" Trump Tells Sean Hannity That He Had A ‘Really Amazing Time’ Selling Out America To Russia"

https://www.politicususa.com/2018/07/16/trump-tells-sean-hannity-amazing-putin.html

 

[Becker]

Those Americans that continue their Pavlovian support of the Traitor In Chief are helping to undermine democratic values and should move to Russia as the traitors they are.

[Opl]

55 minutes ago, Boon Mee said:

What Trump is saying is Give Peace a Chance. 

Yes, I read the news today,  all what Trump is saying is: Mueller should work with Putin

Edited July 17, 2018 by Opl

[Becker]

49 minutes ago, Boon Mee said:

What Trump is saying is Give Peace a Chance. 

No, He's saying "give my handler a break".

[Becker]

1 hour ago, canuckamuck said:

Everyone knows the FBI had an agenda to damage Trumps run. You think Trump is going to give any credit to their investigations? 

His entire intelligence community and the Republican-led Senate Intelligence Committee says so but I guess when they have the goods on you you do what it takes, right?

[Opl]

1 hour ago, canuckamuck said:

Everyone knows the FBI had an agenda to damage Trumps run. You think Trump is going to give any credit to their investigations? Once again Trump is being his own man and talking sense.  Why doesn't the FBI run an investigation into America's meddling with other countries elections and leadership. They would only need 15 minutes on Google to see the score. Makes Russia look like total noobs.

Can you only imagin one second Putin contradicting his own intelligence agencies and give reason to the FBI's conclusion of  Russian interference in the US elections ?

 

 

[bristolboy]

14 hours ago, TVGerry said:

Thank you for getting me elected, Mr. Putin sir!

And it looks like he may be trying to do the same for his fellow Republicans

"Coats told the Senate Intelligence Committee in February that Trump had not specifically directed him to take steps to protect against Russian interference in the upcoming midterm elections."

http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-washington-reacts-helsinki-20180716-story.html