On Trump's Meeting w/Lavrov Today: Time To End The Appeasement of Russia
This morning we released the following statement to the media and our community:
When President Trump meets with Vladimir Putin’s most senior aide at the White House today, it is essential that the President use this time to raise concerns about Russia’s rising ambitions on the global stage. Among the issues that should be on the agenda:
• Russian interference in the elections and internal politics of the United States and Europe
• Russia’s violation of the INF nuclear treaty (link)
• The imperative of returning Crimea to Ukraine, and cessation of its adventurous military operations in the region
• Rising Russian support of the Taliban in Afghanistan (link), and escalation in Libya (link)
• Russia’s establishment of a military installation in Nicaragua (link)
• And of course, the need for Russia to stop propping up Syria’s murderous dictator, and prolonging the Syrian Civil War
“While Americans should be very concerned about Russia’s intervention in our election last year on behalf of Donald Trump, what is far more worrisome is President Trump’s unwillingness to challenge Russia’s rising ambitions on the global stage since becoming President” said NDN President Simon Rosenberg.
“In another age we would call President Trump’s early approach to Russia “appeasement.” Today, President Trump has an opportunity to demonstrate to the American people that he is capable of standing firm against this rising global threat from a newly ambitious Russia. His failure to raise these matters with FM Lavrov and demand a change in Russia’s course would send a signal to the world that America supports Russia’s newly aggressive stance. Such an approach is of course unacceptable, and would give additional fodder to those who have been argued that Trump can be friends with Putin or be President of the United States - but he cannot be both.”
Update: So the meeting happened. Lavrov brought along Ambassador Kislyak, thought to be the chief Russian spymaster in the US. These two men helped lead the Russian campaign to elect Trump. And Our President met with them without any other American in the room - no translator, no press, no national security council staff. Just Putin's top aide, and the Russian spymaster in the US. How Kislyak was allowed into the Oval Office is beyond comprehension. And of course the White House's read out of the meeting was milquetoast, and neglected to mention Kislyak's presence. And of course did not mention anything about the ongoing Russian interference campaign in the US or in Europe. Pure, clear, mighty appeasement it is.
Update: So I took to Twitter and elaborated on this piece a bit. Well worth your time. Biggest issue in American politics today.