Y'know, it appears like Trump doesn't really care if people suspect him of making financial deals (or any other kind of deals) with Putin. When no one is present who is american "What else are to people think worldwide?". Not even an American Translator who speaks Russian? Does Trump think we are that stupid?
Or does he just not care anymore about anything like this? Or maybe he never did?
begin quote from:
Parsing Trump's 2nd Putin meeting: 'Remarkable' and risky - CNN.com
www.cnn.com/2017/07/19/politics/trump-putin-meeting-g20/index.html
53 mins ago - Washington (CNN) As the White House sought to downplay a meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin ...
Parsing Trump's 2nd Putin meeting: 'Remarkable' and risky - ABC-7.com
www.abc-7.com/story/.../parsing-trumps-2nd-putin-meeting-remarkable-and-risky
55 mins ago - WASHINGTON (CNN) -- As the White House sought to downplay a meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir ...Parsing Trump's 2nd Putin meeting: 'Remarkable' and risky - Weny
www.weny.com/story/.../parsing-trumps-2nd-putin-meeting-remarkable-and-risky
55 mins ago - WASHINGTON (CNN) -- As the White House sought to downplay a meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir ...CNN Wire Headlines - Erie News Now | WICU & WSEE in Erie, PA
www.erienewsnow.com/category/288113/all-stories
Parsing Trump's 2nd Putin meeting: 'Remarkable' and risky ... CNN
has learned that US intelligence indicates that North Korea is making
preparations for another intercontinental ballistic ... 'Dunkirk:' Christopher Nolan triumphs with World War II epic .... 'Guardians of democracy': Police recruits learn to hold fire, empathize.
Psaki: non-disclosure adds to mystery of 2nd Putin mtg 07:49
Story highlights
- "Once again the Russia fever has caught up with the media," Sanders said
- The G20 dinner was in the Elbphilharmonie concert hall in Hamburg, Germany
Washington (CNN)As the White House sought to downplay a meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a G20 dinner, experts fretted that Trump's cavalier approach to engaging with Putin could come back to bite him.
"Once
again, the Russia fever has caught up with the media and everyone ran
out and tried to create a story that simply didn't exist," White House
spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a press briefing Wednesday.
"It would be incredibly awkward for them to all sit at a dinner and not
talk."
Foreign policy and
national security experts see a different scenario -- one in which
Putin got a private meeting with the President and no US record of what
was discussed or what promises may have been made.
"They
don't have a record of that meeting, what commitments might have been
made," Steven Pifer, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a
former US ambassador to Ukraine told CNN's Kate Bolduan Wednesday. "As
it is now, you see a gathering storm because there was no one there with
him when he talked to Putin and now there's no way to prove what was
said."
The G20 dinner in the
Elbphilharmonie concert hall in Hamburg, Germany, was an opportunity for
world leaders to socialize -- a break from the working sessions and
formal bilateral meetings commanding much of the schedule.
The
event stretched for nearly 3.5 hours as leaders and their spouses dined
on turbot from the North Sea and Friesian beef cheeks, according to a menu published by The Associated Press.
It was a relatively intimate event, with attendees seated around a
long, rectangular table, dotted with empty chairs for those heads of
state that opted not to attend. Translators hovered nearby, seated just
behind their bosses.
"Halfway
through, Trump gets up and goes around the table, sits next to Putin in
an empty seat," said Ian Bremmer, president of the Eurasia group, who
was told of the interaction by others in the room. "They start a very
friendly and convivial conversation."
To
communicate, Trump and Putin relied on Putin's translator. Trump's
translator did not speak Russian. He spoke Japanese because Trump had
been seated next to the Japanese Prime Minister's wife, according to a
statement from the White House.
'Remarkable'
But
while the official White House statement described the interaction as
"just a brief conversation at the end of a dinner," three sources said
the discussion stretched for nearly an hour.
Those recounting the conversation described it as animated and friendly, with the two men smiling as they spoke.
"What
would've been normal is if they had chatted for three minutes or two
minutes," said Michael Carpenter, senior director of the Penn Biden
Center at the University of Pennsylvania and a former deputy assistant
secretary of defense responsible for Russia. "They carried on for an
hour. That's remarkable."
It was remarkable enough for other world leaders to take note, particularly close US allies.
In
private conversations, heads of state have confessed that they've been
flummoxed by how to navigate Trump's unorthodox style and also build
close ties with the US, Bremmer said. So they were particularly
surprised to see Trump engrossed in private conversation with Putin.
"People
are going to talk about that. They're going to gossip about that.
That's exactly what happened," Bremmer said. "Especially because none of
these leaders have relationships like that with Trump themselves."
US-Russia
relations have been on particularly rocky footing amid Moscow's
meddling in the 2016 presidential election and ongoing conflicts in
Ukraine and Syria. On top of that, Trump and Putin had already met for
two hours and 15 minutes earlier that day -- a formal bilateral meeting
that stretched far beyond its scheduled time.
In
addition to unsettling US allies, experts said the risk of the informal
Trump-Putin dinner chat was obvious: There's no way for the US to
account for what the two men discussed.
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
People take pictures of the message Trump wrote at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem, on May 23.
Hide Caption
35 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
With the help of US Marines, Trump and his wife lay a wreath at Yad Vashem.
Hide Caption
36 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump
meets with Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority,
on May 23. Trump met with Israeli leaders the day before and said he
believes both sides "are ready to reach for peace."
Hide Caption
37 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
A Palestinian security official takes position before the arrival of Trump's convoy in Bethlehem, West Bank.
Hide Caption
38 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Israeli
and American activists hold signs Monday, May 22, during an anti-Trump
protest next to the US embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Hide Caption
39 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Melania
Trump and Israeli first lady Sara Netanyahu speak to children during
their visit to the Hadassah hospital in Jerusalem on May 22.
Hide Caption
40 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump talks to reporters as he meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on May 22. Trump sought to rebut claims
that he damaged Israeli intelligence capabilities by revealing highly
classified information to Russian operatives earlier this month. "Just
so you understand, I never mentioned the word or the name Israel," Trump
told reporters as he began the second leg of his first foreign tour.
Hide Caption
41 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump touches the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, while in Jerusalem on May 22. Trump became the first sitting US president to visit the wall.
Hide Caption
42 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump stands in the Western Wall plaza. To his left, in black, is Shmuel Rabinowitz, the rabbi of the Western Wall.
Hide Caption
43 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
First lady Melania Trump, in white, visits the Western Wall. At far left is Ivanka Trump.
Hide Caption
44 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
The President and first lady plant a tree in Jerusalem with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin.
Hide Caption
45 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump is welcomed by Netanyahu upon arriving in Tel Aviv on May 22. Trump started his trip with two days in Saudi Arabia.
Hide Caption
46 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
On the way to Tel Aviv, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One.
Hide Caption
47 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
While
in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Trump attends the inauguration ceremony for
the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology. Joining him here are
Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, center, and Egyptian President
Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, left.
Hide Caption
48 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump speaks in Riyadh during the Arab Islamic American Summit
on Sunday, May 21. Trump looked to make it clear that the United States
is not at war with Islam. "This is not a battle between different
faiths, different sects or different civilizations," he said. "This is a
battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life,
and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it. This is a
battle between good and evil."
Hide Caption
49 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump
sits at the summit, which included leaders from 55 Muslim-majority
countries. He urged them to do more to eradicate terrorist groups that
claim the mantle of Islam. "We can only overcome this evil if the forces
of good are united and strong and if everyone in this room does their
fair share and fulfills their part of the burden," Trump said.
"Muslim-majority countries must take the lead in stamping out
radicalization."
Hide Caption
50 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump poses with other leaders at the Arab Islamic American Summit.
Hide Caption
51 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Saudi King Salman shakes hands with Trump on May 21. Trump is the first US president to start his first foreign trip in the Middle East.
Hide Caption
52 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump meets with other heads of state in Riyadh on May 21.
Hide Caption
53 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump speaks with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Gen. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Hide Caption
54 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
First lady Melania Trump chats with children during a visit to the American International School in Riyadh on May 21.
Hide Caption
55 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
While in Riyadh, President Trump meets with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on May 21.
Hide Caption
56 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
President
Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi share a laugh during a
meeting on May 21. El-Sisi complimented Trump on his "unique
personality that is capable of doing the impossible." Trump exchanged
pleasantries back, praising el-Sisi's shoes.
Hide Caption
57 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump is handed a sword during a welcoming ceremony at Riyadh's Murabba Palace on Saturday, May 20.
Hide Caption
58 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump sits with members of his staff and Cabinet before a meeting with Saudi King Salman on May 20.
Hide Caption
59 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump and King Salman take part in a signing ceremony at the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh on May 20. The two leaders oversaw the signing of a defense deal worth nearly $110 billion.
Hide Caption
60 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
The Trumps look at a display of modern art at the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh.
Hide Caption
61 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
King
Salman presents Trump with a gilded necklace and medal, the country's
highest honor. The distinction also was bestowed upon Presidents Barack
Obama and George W. Bush.
Hide Caption
62 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
The first lady chats with Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef at the medal ceremony on May 20.
Hide Caption
63 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Ivanka Trump attends the medal ceremony.
Hide Caption
64 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump meets with King Salman after arriving in Riyadh on May 20.
Hide Caption
65 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Soldiers on horseback carry the US and Saudi flags as they escort Trump to the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh.
Hide Caption
66 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump is welcomed by King Salman after arriving at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
Hide Caption
67 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
The Trumps take part in the welcome ceremony.
Hide Caption
68 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
The President and first lady wave from Air Force One after landing in Riyadh.
Hide Caption
69 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
President
Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump board Air Force One on
Saturday, May, 27, 2017, at Naval Air Station Sigonella in Italy. They
were headed back to the United States after a nine-day trip to the
Middle East and Europe.
Hide Caption
1 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
President Trump greets people on May 27, after speaking to US troops at Naval Air Station Sigonella.
Hide Caption
2 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
President Trump addresses US troops and their families on May 27, at the Sigonella Naval Air Station.
Hide Caption
3 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
President
Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive on May 27, to address US
military personnel and families at Naval Air Station Sigonella.
Hide Caption
4 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Leaders of the G-7 and some African nations pose for a photo on May 27, on the second day of the G-7 summit in Taormina, Italy.
Hide Caption
5 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
President Trump gestures on May 27, during a G-7 session.
Hide Caption
6 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
President
Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, arrive for a concert of the La
Scala Philharmonic Orchestra while in Taormina, Italy, on Friday, May
26. The Trumps are in Italy for a two-day G-7 summit.
Hide Caption
7 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump
and other leaders pose for a group photo at the G-7 summit on May 26.
From left are European Council President Donald Tusk, Canadian Prime
Minister Justin Trudeau, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Trump, Italian
Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, French President Emmanuel Macron,
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, British Prime Minister Theresa May
and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.
Hide Caption
8 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump and Trudeau walk together after the group photo.
Hide Caption
9 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
G-7 leaders congregate during a walking tour on May 26.
Hide Caption
10 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump embraces new French President Emmanuel Macron on May 26.
Hide Caption
11 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
The leaders watch a French air squadron.
Hide Caption
12 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Melania Trump arrives at the City Hall in Catania, Italy, on May 26. She was wearing a $51,500 Dolce & Gabbana jacket as she met with other spouses of G-7 leaders.
Hide Caption
13 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump shakes hands with Macron in Brussels, Belgium, on Thursday, May 25. They were attending a NATO summit as the alliance officially opened a new $1 billion headquarters.
Hide Caption
14 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump stands with other world leaders during a NATO photo shoot on May 25.
Hide Caption
15 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump speaks with British Prime Minister Theresa May during a working dinner at NATO headquarters.
Hide Caption
16 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump stands next to German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the NATO summit.
Hide Caption
17 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Melania
Trump visits the Magritte Museum in Brussels with Amelie
Derbaudrenghien, partner of Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel.
Hide Caption
18 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
A girl takes a selfie with Melania Trump at a children's hospital in Brussels on May 25.
Hide Caption
19 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump meets with Macron in Brussels.
Hide Caption
20 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump
walks with European Council President Donald Tusk, center, and European
Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, right, after they met at the
European Council in Brussels on May 25.
Hide Caption
21 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump, third from right, attends a meeting with leaders at the European Council.
Hide Caption
22 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump
speaks with King Philippe of Belgium as Queen Mathilde and Melania
Trump chat during a reception at the Royal Palace in Brussels on
Wednesday, May 24.
Hide Caption
23 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Tusk talks to Trump as he welcomes him in Brussels.
Hide Caption
24 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump
stands with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel while the national
anthem is played during Trump's arrival in Belgium on May 24.
Hide Caption
25 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Protesters in Brussels demonstrate with effigies of Trump and Michel on May 24.
Hide Caption
26 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump shakes hands with Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Rome on May 24.
Hide Caption
27 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Pope Francis stands with Trump and his family during a private audience at the Vatican
on May 24. Joining the President, from left, are Trump's son-in-law,
White House senior adviser Jared Kushner; Trump's daughter and adviser
Ivanka Trump; and first lady Melania Trump.
Hide Caption
28 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump
and the Pope exchange gifts. Trump presented the Pope with a
first-edition set of Martin Luther King's writings. The Pope gave Trump
an olive-tree medal that the Pope said symbolizes peace.
Hide Caption
29 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump and his wife look at the ceilings of the Sistine Chapel.
Hide Caption
30 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump speaks to reporters in Rome during a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, right, on May 24.
Hide Caption
31 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
The first lady visits a pediatric hospital in Vatican City on May 24.
Hide Caption
32 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Melania Trump arrives at the Vatican on May 24. With Vatican protocol in mind,
she wore a black veil and long-sleeved black dress draped down to her
calf. Ivanka Trump wore a similar outfit with a larger veil.
Hide Caption
33 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wave at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem on Tuesday, May 23. Trump gave a speech there, reaffirming his country's commitment to Israel while also holding up Judaism's historical ties to the United States.
Hide Caption
34 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
People take pictures of the message Trump wrote at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem, on May 23.
Hide Caption
35 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
With the help of US Marines, Trump and his wife lay a wreath at Yad Vashem.
Hide Caption
36 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump
meets with Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority,
on May 23. Trump met with Israeli leaders the day before and said he
believes both sides "are ready to reach for peace."
Hide Caption
37 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
A Palestinian security official takes position before the arrival of Trump's convoy in Bethlehem, West Bank.
Hide Caption
38 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Israeli
and American activists hold signs Monday, May 22, during an anti-Trump
protest next to the US embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Hide Caption
39 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Melania
Trump and Israeli first lady Sara Netanyahu speak to children during
their visit to the Hadassah hospital in Jerusalem on May 22.
Hide Caption
40 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump talks to reporters as he meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on May 22. Trump sought to rebut claims
that he damaged Israeli intelligence capabilities by revealing highly
classified information to Russian operatives earlier this month. "Just
so you understand, I never mentioned the word or the name Israel," Trump
told reporters as he began the second leg of his first foreign tour.
Hide Caption
41 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump touches the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, while in Jerusalem on May 22. Trump became the first sitting US president to visit the wall.
Hide Caption
42 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump stands in the Western Wall plaza. To his left, in black, is Shmuel Rabinowitz, the rabbi of the Western Wall.
Hide Caption
43 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
First lady Melania Trump, in white, visits the Western Wall. At far left is Ivanka Trump.
Hide Caption
44 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
The President and first lady plant a tree in Jerusalem with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin.
Hide Caption
45 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump is welcomed by Netanyahu upon arriving in Tel Aviv on May 22. Trump started his trip with two days in Saudi Arabia.
Hide Caption
46 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
On the way to Tel Aviv, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One.
Hide Caption
47 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
While
in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Trump attends the inauguration ceremony for
the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology. Joining him here are
Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, center, and Egyptian President
Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, left.
Hide Caption
48 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump speaks in Riyadh during the Arab Islamic American Summit
on Sunday, May 21. Trump looked to make it clear that the United States
is not at war with Islam. "This is not a battle between different
faiths, different sects or different civilizations," he said. "This is a
battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life,
and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it. This is a
battle between good and evil."
Hide Caption
49 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump
sits at the summit, which included leaders from 55 Muslim-majority
countries. He urged them to do more to eradicate terrorist groups that
claim the mantle of Islam. "We can only overcome this evil if the forces
of good are united and strong and if everyone in this room does their
fair share and fulfills their part of the burden," Trump said.
"Muslim-majority countries must take the lead in stamping out
radicalization."
Hide Caption
50 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump poses with other leaders at the Arab Islamic American Summit.
Hide Caption
51 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Saudi King Salman shakes hands with Trump on May 21. Trump is the first US president to start his first foreign trip in the Middle East.
Hide Caption
52 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump meets with other heads of state in Riyadh on May 21.
Hide Caption
53 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump speaks with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Gen. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Hide Caption
54 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
First lady Melania Trump chats with children during a visit to the American International School in Riyadh on May 21.
Hide Caption
55 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
While in Riyadh, President Trump meets with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on May 21.
Hide Caption
56 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
President
Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi share a laugh during a
meeting on May 21. El-Sisi complimented Trump on his "unique
personality that is capable of doing the impossible." Trump exchanged
pleasantries back, praising el-Sisi's shoes.
Hide Caption
57 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump is handed a sword during a welcoming ceremony at Riyadh's Murabba Palace on Saturday, May 20.
Hide Caption
58 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump sits with members of his staff and Cabinet before a meeting with Saudi King Salman on May 20.
Hide Caption
59 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump and King Salman take part in a signing ceremony at the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh on May 20. The two leaders oversaw the signing of a defense deal worth nearly $110 billion.
Hide Caption
60 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
The Trumps look at a display of modern art at the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh.
Hide Caption
61 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
King
Salman presents Trump with a gilded necklace and medal, the country's
highest honor. The distinction also was bestowed upon Presidents Barack
Obama and George W. Bush.
Hide Caption
62 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
The first lady chats with Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef at the medal ceremony on May 20.
Hide Caption
63 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Ivanka Trump attends the medal ceremony.
Hide Caption
64 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump meets with King Salman after arriving in Riyadh on May 20.
Hide Caption
65 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Soldiers on horseback carry the US and Saudi flags as they escort Trump to the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh.
Hide Caption
66 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump is welcomed by King Salman after arriving at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
Hide Caption
67 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
The Trumps take part in the welcome ceremony.
Hide Caption
68 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
The President and first lady wave from Air Force One after landing in Riyadh.
Hide Caption
69 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
President
Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump board Air Force One on
Saturday, May, 27, 2017, at Naval Air Station Sigonella in Italy. They
were headed back to the United States after a nine-day trip to the
Middle East and Europe.
Hide Caption
1 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
President Trump greets people on May 27, after speaking to US troops at Naval Air Station Sigonella.
Hide Caption
2 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
President Trump addresses US troops and their families on May 27, at the Sigonella Naval Air Station.
Hide Caption
3 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
President
Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive on May 27, to address US
military personnel and families at Naval Air Station Sigonella.
Hide Caption
4 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Leaders of the G-7 and some African nations pose for a photo on May 27, on the second day of the G-7 summit in Taormina, Italy.
Hide Caption
5 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
President Trump gestures on May 27, during a G-7 session.
Hide Caption
6 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
President
Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, arrive for a concert of the La
Scala Philharmonic Orchestra while in Taormina, Italy, on Friday, May
26. The Trumps are in Italy for a two-day G-7 summit.
Hide Caption
7 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump
and other leaders pose for a group photo at the G-7 summit on May 26.
From left are European Council President Donald Tusk, Canadian Prime
Minister Justin Trudeau, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Trump, Italian
Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, French President Emmanuel Macron,
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, British Prime Minister Theresa May
and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.
Hide Caption
8 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump and Trudeau walk together after the group photo.
Hide Caption
9 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
G-7 leaders congregate during a walking tour on May 26.
Hide Caption
10 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump embraces new French President Emmanuel Macron on May 26.
Hide Caption
11 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
The leaders watch a French air squadron.
Hide Caption
12 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Melania Trump arrives at the City Hall in Catania, Italy, on May 26. She was wearing a $51,500 Dolce & Gabbana jacket as she met with other spouses of G-7 leaders.
Hide Caption
13 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump shakes hands with Macron in Brussels, Belgium, on Thursday, May 25. They were attending a NATO summit as the alliance officially opened a new $1 billion headquarters.
Hide Caption
14 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump stands with other world leaders during a NATO photo shoot on May 25.
Hide Caption
15 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump speaks with British Prime Minister Theresa May during a working dinner at NATO headquarters.
Hide Caption
16 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump stands next to German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the NATO summit.
Hide Caption
17 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Melania
Trump visits the Magritte Museum in Brussels with Amelie
Derbaudrenghien, partner of Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel.
Hide Caption
18 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
A girl takes a selfie with Melania Trump at a children's hospital in Brussels on May 25.
Hide Caption
19 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump meets with Macron in Brussels.
Hide Caption
20 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump
walks with European Council President Donald Tusk, center, and European
Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, right, after they met at the
European Council in Brussels on May 25.
Hide Caption
21 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump, third from right, attends a meeting with leaders at the European Council.
Hide Caption
22 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump
speaks with King Philippe of Belgium as Queen Mathilde and Melania
Trump chat during a reception at the Royal Palace in Brussels on
Wednesday, May 24.
Hide Caption
23 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Tusk talks to Trump as he welcomes him in Brussels.
Hide Caption
24 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump
stands with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel while the national
anthem is played during Trump's arrival in Belgium on May 24.
Hide Caption
25 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Protesters in Brussels demonstrate with effigies of Trump and Michel on May 24.
Hide Caption
26 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump shakes hands with Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Rome on May 24.
Hide Caption
27 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Pope Francis stands with Trump and his family during a private audience at the Vatican
on May 24. Joining the President, from left, are Trump's son-in-law,
White House senior adviser Jared Kushner; Trump's daughter and adviser
Ivanka Trump; and first lady Melania Trump.
Hide Caption
28 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump
and the Pope exchange gifts. Trump presented the Pope with a
first-edition set of Martin Luther King's writings. The Pope gave Trump
an olive-tree medal that the Pope said symbolizes peace.
Hide Caption
29 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump and his wife look at the ceilings of the Sistine Chapel.
Hide Caption
30 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Trump speaks to reporters in Rome during a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, right, on May 24.
Hide Caption
31 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
The first lady visits a pediatric hospital in Vatican City on May 24.
Hide Caption
32 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
Melania Trump arrives at the Vatican on May 24. With Vatican protocol in mind,
she wore a black veil and long-sleeved black dress draped down to her
calf. Ivanka Trump wore a similar outfit with a larger veil.
Hide Caption
33 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wave at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem on Tuesday, May 23. Trump gave a speech there, reaffirming his country's commitment to Israel while also holding up Judaism's historical ties to the United States.
Hide Caption
34 of 69
Photos: President Trump's first foreign trip
People take pictures of the message Trump wrote at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem, on May 23.
Hide Caption
35 of 69
"The
real story here is this was an hour-long meeting. What did they talk
about for an entire hour?" said Carpenter, who heard of the meeting from
others in the room.
Trump's conversation with Putin could have hit on any number of issues from US sanctions against Russia to Syria or Ukraine.
The
question of what exactly was discussed in Hamburg took on a new urgency
for some Russia experts as Moscow ramps up pressure on the US to return
diplomatic compounds in New York State and Maryland. Former President
Barack Obama ordered the compounds be closed in 2016 as retaliation for
Russian election interference.
On
Monday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, emerged from a
meeting with US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas
Shannon and said he "almost" got the compounds back. So far, no
agreement has been announced.
"I'm thinking to myself, wait a second, did Putin bring that up with Trump?" Bremmer said.
It's also unclear what assurances, if any, Trump could have offered Putin in private.
US officials told The Washington Post in
a story published Wednesday that Trump has decided to end a secret CIA
program to arm and train Syrian rebels battling Bashar al-Assad's
government -- a move that's sure to be welcomed by Russia.
According
to the Post report, Trump made the decision before meeting with Putin
at the G20. Sanders, the White House spokeswoman, declined to comment on
the news Wednesday, but said she wasn't aware of that issue coming up
in Trump's dinnertime conversation with Putin.
Trump has spoken about this in the past, including a November interview with The Wall Street Journal, saying he didn't think it was productive to be fighting Syria, which is fighting ISIS.
The
Post also reported the decision about the program came nearly one month
ago, ahead of the Trump-Putin G20 meetings. The decision also does not
affect the Pentagon-led effort to work with US-backed Syrian rebels,
according to The Post.
Freewheeling style
Trump's freewheeling style has only added to the unease among national security experts.
In
May, Trump welcomed the Russian foreign minister and the Russian
ambassador to the US to the White House and proceeded to disclose highly
classified information.
The
President also bashed former FBI Director James Comey, who he had
recently fired, telling the Russians that Comey was "a real nut job," according to The New York Times. Trump also told them, "I faced great pressure because of Russia. That's taken off," according to The New York Times.
On
one front, experts were in agreement: Despite the claims from the White
House, an hour-long conversation goes far beyond exchanging
pleasantries, especially when it's an hour with Putin.
"Putin
is so skilled at this," Carpenter said. "He's so skilled at trying to
form a relationship with someone in order to manipulate them. Who knows
what he proposed."
The administration's decision not to disclose the conversation or offer a readout of the dinner only added to the intrigue.
After
the conversation came to light, the White House released a statement
Tuesday evening, saying, "The insinuation that the White House has tried
to 'hide' a second meeting is false, malicious and absurd. It is not
merely perfectly normal, it is part of a President's duties, to interact
with world leaders."
On Wednesday,
Sanders said it was "absurd" and "silly" to suggest the White House was
trying to keep the meeting under wraps, noting that the dinner was on
Trump's public schedule for the day.
Meanwhile,
the President's own national security team may have few details as to
what actually went on during Trump's private conversation with Putin.
If
a tape of interaction exists, it's likely in the hands of Putin's
translator, Bremmer said, leaving open the possibility that Moscow could
release portions of the conversation -- perhaps out of context -- at
its convenience.
No comments:
Post a Comment