Robert Reich
President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia and President-elect Donald J. Trump spoke by telephone today, agreeing to review what both consider the poor state of relations between the two countries, according to a statement from the Kremlin. The two men also discussed Syria in the context of “the need to work together in the struggle against the No. 1 common enemy — international terrorism and extremism,” according to the Kremlin’s statement.
So now we have to rely on the Kremlin for news about what Trump is up to?
Trump’s admiration and connections with Putin go way back. Here are 10 examples:
1. In 2007, five months after Russia was accused of unleashing a cyberwar on the small Baltic country of Estonia, Trump told radio host Larry King that Putin was doing a great job: "Look at Putin—what he's doing with Russia—I mean, you know, what's going on over there. I mean this guy has done—whether you like him or don't like him—he's doing a great job in rebuilding the image of Russia and also rebuilding Russia period."
2. In 2008, at a real estate conference, Trump admitted to his reliance on funding from Russia: "Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets.… We see a lot of money pouring in from Russia."
3. For years, Paul Manafort, Trump’s campaign manager, consulted for Ukraine’s ruling pro-Russian political party. Investigators say Manafort was part of a network that looted Ukrainian assets and influenced elections during that time.
4. In 2014, just after Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine, Trump tweeted, "I believe Putin will continue to re-build the Russian Empire. He has zero respect for Obama or the U.S.!"
5. Last year, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, Trump insisted pro-Russian separatists weren’t behind the shooting down of a Malaysian Airlines flight: “"It may have been their weapon, but they didn't use it, they didn't fire it, they even said the other side fired it to blame them.”
6. Last December, on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, Trump defended Putin from allegations that he murdered journalists and political opponents. "He's running his country, and at least he's a leader. Unlike what we have in this country." Trump added, "I think our country does plenty of killing, also, Joe."
7. In July, Trump called on Moscow to hack Hillary Clinton's email. "Russia, if you're listening, I hope you're able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing," he said. (In October, senior United States intelligence officials accused Russia of hacking the computers at the Democratic National Committee headquarters and releasing emails that proved embarrassing to the Clinton campaign.)
8. In September, Trump said Putin "has been a leader far more than our president has been."
9. Trump also said the United States should ally itself with Russia and the Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad to fight the Islamic State. He also said the United States might dilute its support for NATO, which Russia considers a main threat.
10. Putin was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Trump last week, sending him a telegram about an hour after he had emerged the victor.
What do you think?
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