Costa: Trump ‘Actually Considers Russia To Be Part of the West’

CHUCK TODD: Let’s talk about, Robert, the fact is there are policy consequences to this deal with Russia. Steve Hayes, editor of The Weekly Standard, wrote this: “Trump caves to Putin. A framework for understanding not consequences, not sanctions, not even the threat of retaliation from the United States? There’s no need for a framework of understanding. Vladimir Putin understands what this diplo-feculence means. “The Trump administration will not punish him in any way for his aggressive attempts to interfere in the 2016 election.” And yes, by the way, feculence means what you think it means. But also, in the deal with Syria, Russia got its way on Syria. Russia’s getting its way on the Russia investigation in this country.

ROBERT COSTA: As Kristen said, there’s a consensus within both parties that Putin is bad and that there’s a hawkish view on Russia in both parties. But you’re really seeing, inside of the West Wing right now, a re-imagination of U.S.-Russia relations. Trump actually considers Russia to be part of the West. And he wants to build new policy with them.

And it’s just so striking and alarm, especially Republicans, in this post-Cold War mentality, to have that kind of approach to Russia. But that’s truly Trump’s aim, not just a tweet, but to build a new kind of relationship with Russia.