Relations between Russia and the United States have mostly become laced with controversy, even more so since Russia’s alleged interference in the 2016 elections. With the elections drawing closer and closer by the day as well as the UN General Assembly, National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien reveals that Donald Trump will not be having an in-person meeting with Vladimir Putin prior to the elections.
CNN reports O’Brien’s answer came in an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press when asked about the possible meeting between the two leaders. According to those who were knowledgeable on the matter, it was Putin’s idea that he and Trump meet prior to the UN General Assembly and sometime before the elections, where Trump is going against former vice president Joe Biden. However, over the weekend, O’Brien laid the question to rest. O’Brien said that the White House has rejected such a meeting.
“No, we’re not doing a meeting with Putin in the United States. We’d love to have Putin come here, hopefully, to sign a terrific arms control deal that protects Americans and protects Russians,” said O’Brien.
Despite the ongoing arms control talks between the two countries including China, O’Brien noted that the United States is interested in striking an arms control deal with Russia as well as forging better relations between the two countries. The goal was to also negotiate with China, but China has constantly refused to meet over such matters.
“When the Soviet Union was there and the evil empire was there, Ronald Reagan negotiated to try and reduce nuclear weapons that are pointed at each country. We’d like to see that happen. We’d like to have good relations with Russia, but that’s up to the Russians,” said O’Brien.
Meanwhile, Deadline reports that Trump may be considering to give a pardon to former National Security Agency contractor Edward J. Snowden. Snowden was responsible for leaking classified documents regarding government surveillance, and later fled the country and has been staying in Russia since 2013. He has since been charged in violation of the Espionage Act with a long prison sentence before leaving the US. Snowden has also said he will not be returning to the US.
Speaking to the press from his Bedminster golf club, Trump said that he would look into Snowden’s situation. This is in contrast to his previous comments about Snowden prior to his election in 2016, where he called Snowden a traitor that should be executed.