17.11.

2016

Kremlin:Putin,TrumpSpeak,Pledge'ConstructiveCooperation'

RUSSIA

Kremlin: Putin, Trump Speak, Pledge

'Constructive Cooperation'
November 14, 2016

RFE/RL

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on

November 14 discussed battered bilateral ties between their countries in the first
phone call between the two men since Trump's election last week.
Trumps team said in a statement that Putin called him earlier in the day and
congratulated him on his November 8 win against Democratic rival Hillary Clinton
and that the Republican president-elect is "very much looking forward to having a
strong and enduring relationship with Russia."
"During the call, the two leaders discussed a range of issues including the threats
and challenges facing the United States and Russia, strategic economic issues, and
the historical U.S.-Russia relationship that dates back over 200 years," the
statement said.
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The Kremlin said earlier on November 14 that Putin and Trump both agreed that the
current state of relations is "extremely unsatisfactory."
Putin told Trump in the call that he was ready to have a dialogue on the basis of
"mutual respect" and "nonintervention into each others internal affairs," the
Kremlin statement said.
It added that Putin and Trump had agreed to work to "channel bilateral
relationships into constructive cooperation."
Relations between the two sides have deteriorated sharply over Russias illegal
annexation of Ukraine's Crimea territory in 2014, its backing of armed separatists in
eastern Ukraine, and its support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime.
The outgoing administration of U.S. President Barack Obama has imposed several
waves of sanctions against Russia over its role in Ukraine's conflict -- punitive
measures that have enraged Moscow.
Since Trump's election, Russian officials have voiced optimism that his
administration could roll back the Ukraine-related sanctions Obama has issued by
executive order.
The national emergency that Obama declared in connection with Crimea's seizure
and illegal annexation by Russia serves as the foundation for sanctions. The
executive order declaring that emergency is set to expire in early March.

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Trump, who is set to succeed Obama in January, said repeatedly during his campaign
that he wants to mend the frayed ties between the two countries. He also said he
might think twice about defending NATO allies unless they increase their defense
spending.
Trumps statements about Russia -- including positive words about Putin and the
suggestion that he may recognize Russia's annexation of Crimea -- triggered
criticism from political opponents and some in his own party that he was advocating
an appeasement policy with Moscow.
His comments about NATO, meanwhile, have sparked fear in Europe, where some
have called for the European Union to bolster its own common defense plan.
Eastern European members of NATO that were previously under Moscows domain
during Soviet times -- such as the Baltic nations -- have voiced particular concern
over Russian expansionism in Ukraine and potential Kremlin designs on their
territory.
That prompted the outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama on November 14 to
reassure NATO allies that Trump has indicated strong backing for the alliance,
despite his statements during the election campaign.
Obama said he and Trump had a useful and "free-flowing conversation" when the
two met at the White House last week following Trump's election victory.

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Asked what he would tell foreign leaders about Trump's faith in the alliance, Obama
replied: "There is no weakening of resolve when it comes to America's commitment
to maintaining a strong and robust NATO relationship."
Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter on November 14 advised NATO
countries worried about Trumps commitment to the alliance that they should talk
to members of Trump's incoming administration.
Carter said he could not speak for Trump's incoming administration, but urged
NATO partners to take advantage of the opportunity to air their concerns with
Trump's team.
"The only thing I would say is, engage with the new administration," Carter said.
"Work with them. Stay committed to the values and the principles that we have
stood for. We're much better at protecting ourselves if we can find a way to work
together."
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on November 13 that "this is no time
to question the partnership between Europe and the United States," and that "going
it alone is not an option."
With reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, TASS, and Interfax

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty 2016 RFE/RL, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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