Comey: Putin Likes People Who Like Him, and He Has a Preference for ‘Business Leaders’ in Leading Other Countries

EXCERPT:

SCHIFF: “Well, what is — what is the Russian view of NATO? Do they like NATO? Do they want to see NATO strong?”
COMEY: “Well again, I — I — I am sure you have already spoken to people who are greater experts than I, but yeah, they don’t like NATO. They think NATO encircles them and threatens them.”
SCIEFF: “And would they have a preference for a candidate that expressed an openness to repealing the sanctions over Ukraine?”
COMEY: “Again, I don’t want to get into business in commenting on that. I know —“
SCHIFF: “Well, then let me ask you this, director, would they like to see the sanctions on Ukraine go away?”
COMEY: “Yes.”
SCHIFF: “Would they have a preference for a candidate who expressed open admiration for Putin?”
COMEY: “And I hope you’ll reformulate the question. Mr. Putin would like people who like him.”
SCHIEFF: “Would they have a preference for a candidate who encouraged Brexit and other departures from Europe? Would they like to see more Brexits?”
COMEY: “Yes.”
SCHIFF: “And have the Russians in Europe demonstrated a preference for business people as political leaders with the hope that they can entangle them in financial interests or that they may allow their financial interests to take precedence over the interests of the countries in Europe they represent?”
COMEY: “In our joint report, we recount that the Russians that — that President Putin has expressed a preference for business leaders in leading other governments and mentions Gerhard Schroeder and — I’m going to forget one — Berlusconi because he believes they are people that are more open to negotiation and easier to deal with.”