Fmr. Bush Amb. to Russia: Our Allies ‘Have a Lot Concerns’ About Trump and His Stance on NATO

‘I think the Russians do like to influence developments in our country’

EXCERPT:

VERSHBOW: "Well first of all, our allies have a lot of concerns about exactly where President Trump stands on -- on NATO and on his -- on his relationship with Europe. Does he still value NATO as kind of linchpin of U.S. security and is he going to make unequivocally clear that he has allies back, that the famous article 5 commitment to come to the defense of any ally is something he stands by without any conditions. And I think the meeting is an opportunity for mutual reassurance. Can he -- he can reassure them on that and allies can assure him that they take seriously his demand that they shoulder their share of the responsibility for the common defense. And I think on those issues you’re likely to see a positive outcome. But the Theresa May comments underscore there’s a lot of lingering doubts about the president’s approach to -- to allies, and to Russia. The same applies to the reports coming out of the meeting with Lavrov in the White House two weeks ago. They’re wondering whether he -- you know, his failure to criticize Vladimir Putin about anything reflects in much more soft line towards Russia or whether he's going to stick with the allies and demand that Russia change its behavior, in particularly get out of eastern Ukraine before there'll be any reset in relations. So, there’s a lot riding on this meeting beyond defense spending, beyond fighting terrorism, it’s the basic trust in President Trump’s approach to the most vital alliance the United States has."

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