Media Lies by Omission: Trump Agrees with Macron, We Need Good Relations with Russia
Dec. 3, 2019 (EIRNS)—The international media would have you fixate on some sharp public exchanges between Presidents Emmanuel Macron and Donald Trump during their joint press opportunity before their official bilateral meeting began in London today. But virtually no agency reported the significant strategic statements made by President Trump at the end of that briefing, because they make the British Empire more than uncomfortable.
Trump took up three points, in the final questions: relations with Russia, establishing peaceful relations between Ukraine and Russia, and the urgent need for a global agreement on nuclear weapons. Given the media censorship, we quote extensively here. The full transcript is posted to the White House website.
First, he was asked: “Mr. Macron says that Russia shouldn’t be designated as an adversary of NATO. Do you agree with that? Do you think Russia is the enemy?”
“I think we could get along with Russia,” Trump answered. Looking at Macron, he continued,
“I think you feel we can get along with Russia. We’ve discussed that before. But certainly, we have to be prepared. Whether it’s Russia or somebody else, we have to be prepared. But he and I have a pretty similar view on that. I think we feel that we can get along with Russia. And I think it’s a good thing to get along with Russia.
“And I campaigned on it. I mean, I’d go into big stadiums; people like it. And I think the Russian people would like to see it too. A lot of good can come of it,”
he added.
To another question, Trump addressed the other two points, together:
“I think that the meetings coming up with Russia and Ukraine are very important. And there’s a possibility that some very big progress can be made. It’s very important for Ukraine. I think it’s very important from the standpoint of Russia, also, that they work out a treaty, they work out peace, because they’ve been fighting a long time. Too long. And I think there’s a really good chance that that will happen.
“Also, with respect to nuclear weapons, I’ve spoken to President Putin and I’ve communicated with him. And ... he very much wants to, and so do we, work out a treaty of some kind on nuclear weapons that will probably then include China at some point, and [said to Macron] yourselves, by the way. But it will include China and some other countries.
“But we intend to see if we can work something out to stop the proliferation, to stop what’s happening, because we are making a lot and we are renovating a lot. And, frankly, the whole situation with nuclear is not a good situation. We ended the treaty because it wasn’t being adhered to by the other side. But they want to make a treaty, and so do we, and I think it would be a great thing. I think it’s one of the most important things we can do, frankly.
“So, we’re going to be dealing with Russia on a treaty where ... we’re focused on nuclear and nuclear weapons—missiles, but nuclear weapons. And we think something can be worked out. We think they want to do it. We know they want to do it. And we want to do it also.
“I spoke to China about it. During one of our trade negotiations, they were extremely excited about getting involved in that. So, some very good things can happen with respect to that. I think it’s very important. The whole nuclear situation is very, very important.”
