Trump Wants Nuclear Deal With Russia, Criticizes Moscow's Actions In Syria
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump suggested he may offer to end some economic sanctions against Russia in return for a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to reduce nuclear arms, The Times of London newspaper reported.
Trump said in a wide-ranging joint interview with The Times and the German daily Bild published on January 15 that he wants the nuclear arsenals of the United States and Russia to be "reduced very substantially."
Trump also criticized Moscow for its military intervention in the Syrian civil war, describing it as "a very bad thing" that had led to a "terrible humanitarian situation."
The president-elect also called NATO is "obsolete" for not doing more to fight terrorism but added that the alliance is still "very important to me."
Trump repeated his criticism that many NATO members do not pay enough for their security, which is carried by the United States.
"A lot of these countries aren't paying what they're supposed to be paying, which I think is very unfair to the United States," he said, adding that only five of NATO's 28 member countries are paying their fair share.
Trump praised the British "Brexit" from the European Union and said he thinks that the bloc's liberal immigration policy toward refugees could lead to other countries leaving the EU.
Although Trump said he respects German Chancellor Angela Merkel, he said she had made a "catastrophic mistake" by allowing so many undocumented migrants to enter Germany since 2015.
Trump also said he will appoint Jared Kushner, his son-in-law, to broker a Middle East peace deal.
He praised Queen Elizabeth and said he is eager to sign a trade deal with Britain and will meet with British Prime Minister Theresa May soon.
Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP
A news item from RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service to kick things off this morning:
U.S. Vice President Biden Making Final Ukraine Visit
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has arrived in Ukraine for talks with the country’s leaders to underline U.S. support for Kyiv and also mark the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Biden met with Prime Minister Volodymyr Hroysman and is scheduled to hold talks with President Petro Poroshenko later in the morning on January 16.
"The vice president's trip to Ukraine will underscore U.S. support -- and highlight his personal involvement in providing support -- for Ukrainian independence, democratic development, prosperity, and security," the White House said in a statement last week.
Biden’s visit comes just four days before the end of his term of office and the beginning of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s term of office.
After meetings in Kyiv, Biden will go to Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The United States has invested heavily in Ukraine’s reform process since the pro-Western opposition took power in Kyiv following street protests in 2013-14.
Washington has since provided over $3 billion in economic assistance to Kyiv and imposed sanctions against Russia for annexing Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and backing separatists in a conflict in the east of the country.
Ukrainian officials have expressed concern that U.S. support could wane following the January 20 inauguration of Trump, who has voiced desire to improve ties with Russia.
Biden has been closely involved, visiting Ukraine four times since the change of power in Kyiv.
He was last in Kyiv in December 2015.