President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin speak by phone about the future of U.S.-Russian ties, Trump's transition team says
President-elect Donald Trump spoke on the phone with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Monday, Trump's transition team said in a statement. The U.S. And Russian leaders agreed to set up a face-to-face meeting soon, and agreed to work for "Constructive cooperation on a wide range of issues." Ref. USAToday.
I am very concerned with what happens on January 20. There are mixed messages from Trump and those that he wants on defense. Trump says friends for Russia while those who will advise him will want to remain enemies with Russia seeing them as aggressors.
International Level: New Activist / Political Participation: 19 1.9%
The Obama administration is preparing to announce a series of retaliation measures against Russia for meddling in the US election, according to American officials briefed on the plans.
The actions are expected to include expanded sanctions and diplomatic measures, the officials said, in what the administration deems a proportional response to a Russian operation that went beyond the cyber hacking activities common among nations.
Some of the steps are expected to name individuals associated with a Russian disinformation campaign that US intelligence officials say used hacked information from mostly Democratic Party organizations and officials to attack Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.
US officials have also said the federal government plans some unannounced actions taken through covert means at a time of its choosing. Ref. CNN.
Obama slaps Russia with sanctions for meddling in the U.S. Election
In the most sweeping retaliation against Russia in decades, President Obama slapped the country with new penalties Thursday for meddling in the U.S. Presidential election, kicking out dozens of suspected spies and imposing banking restrictions on five people and four organizations the administration says were involved. Ref. Source 3j.
What I am interested in seeing is a reversal by Trump but more importantly is the reason behind it since the security agencies all confirmed that Russia was involved in the attack.
International Level: New Activist / Political Participation: 23 2.3%
State media: Russian foreign minister calls for expulsion of 35 U.S. Diplomats
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called for the expulsion of 35 U.S. Diplomats and the closure of two facilities in Moscow in response to U.S. Sanctions, state media reported. It came after the Obama administration sanctioned Russian intelligence officials, expelled 35 Russian diplomats suspected of being spies and shut down two Russian facilities in the U.S. Following evidence that Russia hacked Democratic Party officials during this year's presidential election. Ref. USAToday.
I hope that we can be friends with Russia. How many enemies can America have? We need to have powerful friends too. I don't condone any wrong doing concerning Russia but at the same time we should be looking to make them start a war with us or vice versa.
International Level: Senior Politician / Political Participation: 173 17.3%