"We don't need to ask Putin anything: we know."

[Qutzupalotl]

(Thread by Molly McKew of Politico on Summit)
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1018473829679673344.html

10 tweets3 hours ago

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Molly McKew
@MollyMcKew
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Guide to Trump/Putin meeting:

- We don't need to ask Putin anything: we know
- Russia does not belong in G8
- Russia = Iran in Syria; there is no deal with Russia to get Iran out
- If we allow Russia to determine outcome on Syria, US will be screwed in region for a generation
/1
- Crimea is Ukraine. Russia invaded + is at war w/ Ukraine. Expanding Rus footprint in Black Sea is US/NATO challenge
- Russia has no right to "defend" "Russian-speakers" abroad; this is a Kremlin narrative
- "Suspending" military exercises in Baltics is a Kremlin deliverable
/2
- Russia is supporting the Taliban in Afgh as they target US forces; we should be saying something re that
- Georgia & Ukraine have the right to work toward NATO membership; not clearly reinforcing the open-door is a Kremlin deliverable that they have fought 2 wars for
/3
- "working with Russia" on economic issues i= allowing them to steal our tech and infiltrate our systems to use them against us. There is no clean Kremlin money; it all comes with strings
- Russia has supported North Korea missile + nuke programs, continues to stir this issue
/4
- sanctions must remain in place; Russian behavior has not changed, and they continue to attack the US and our allies with impunity. Not saying so is failure.
- there is no moral equivalence between the US and Russia, and no US President should ever say so
/5
- there is no "in private" w/ Putin. Whatever you say will end up in press, either to embarrass you or weaken allies.
- intelligence populating the Mueller indictments comes at least in part from our allies. Defend it, or you insult their efforts defense of American homeland
/6
- you should never meet with Putin if you aren't willing to take a swing.
/7
- Oh, and to be clear, we got information this week that the Russian attack on the American homeland, people, and society is EXPANDING -- and any failure to outline clear costs and consequences is leaving American citizens exposed to attack by a foreign adversary
/8
And yes, this from @john_sipher

As @SenCoryGardner says -- Russia is a state sponsor of terrorism. Not a nation fighting terrorism -- it weaponizes it

[world wide wally]

1. Asking Trump and Putin about their meeting is like asking two liars who caught a bigger fish