Trump Administration Set for Broad Engagement with Russia in Early 2018

[DonViejo]

Source: BuzzFeed News




Ending an Obama policy of isolating Moscow, the top military leaders of NATO and Russia are planning to meet in Azerbaijan later this month.

Posted on January 7, 2018, at 3:01 p.m.

John Hudson
BuzzFeed News Reporter
Washington, DC

Reporting From
Washington, DC

The Trump administration is beginning the New Year with a flurry of high-level engagements with the Russian government, US officials tell BuzzFeed News, including the first meeting between Moscow’s top general and NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander since the US severed several channels with Russia during the Ukraine crisis in 2013.

The spate of Pentagon and State Department meetings come as special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russia's meddling in the 2016 election draws closer to President Trump’s inner circle.

It also follows a downturn in relations between the two Cold War adversaries after the Trump administration’s decision to approve the transfer of anti-tank missiles to Ukraine as it battles pro-Russian separatists.

“This is all part of the normal course of diplomacy and it should come as no surprise to anyone that there are many issues that we need to discuss with the Russians,” State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told BuzzFeed News.

Read more: https://www.buzzfeed.com/johnhudson/trump-administration-set-for-broad-engagement-with-russia?utm_term=.fe88vvZeW#.beyommwQR

[left-of-center2012]

1. Some how "Russians" and "broad" reminds me of a Trump video

[regnaD kciN]

2. Since when does the engagement follow the wedding...?

[ancianita]

3. A flurry of engagements... they should come as no surprise in Azerbaijan, biggest oil country on

the planet.

It's where the energy deals get made. They get their choice of embassies or hotels, but every inch is under intel surveillance. Maybe we've got ears there, maybe not.

[ancianita]

4. K & R this should raise questions.

[rockfordfile]

5. The collusion with Russia.

[wishstar]

6. At same time, Tillerson announced he is staying as Sec of State at least another year

Sign that he thinks working around sanctions and/or not enforcing sanctions will be possible enabling big oil deals that he can broker.

[Demtexan]

7. Just handing over the keys to the country.

Whatever Putin wants.