Neo-Cons Worried about Putin-Trump Statement on Cooperation

April 27, 2020 (EIRNS)—The Wall Street Journal today sought out statements of reply to the Joint Statement issued by Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in honor of the U.S. and Soviet forces meeting at the River Elbe on April 25, 1945. They were particularly worried about the sentence: “The Spirit of the Elbe is an example of how our countries can put aside differences, build trust, and cooperate in pursuit of a greater cause.” This “spawned concern among some lawmakers on Capitol Hill,” writes the Journal, since “the move comes as the Pentagon and State Department have complained about Russia’s behavior, and many officials remain deeply wary of Moscow’s intentions.” They refer to the claim that “Russian fighter jets twice buzzed American Navy planes over the Mediterranean Sea, while defense officials have accused Russia-based news organizations of spreading disinformation about the coronavirus,” and “State Department officials have repeatedly complained that Russia was providing critical military support for Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad’s offensive in Idlib province.”

“ ‘Everyone knows that Trump has a bizarre infatuation with Russia’s autocratic leader and that Trump constantly plays into Putin’s hands,’ said Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.”

On the other hand, they also quote Joe Cirincione, president of Ploughshares Fund, a pro-arms-control foundation, saying: “It is appropriate for the two nations to mark this historic victory. Yes, it serves Putin’s interests, but it can also serve ours if it helps us put aside differences to cooperate on key issues, most importantly the extension of the New START treaty.”