This Is Why The Kremlin Is Alarmed At The Prospect Of A President Biden

Henry Meyer and Ilya Arkhipov, Bloomberg: The Kremlin Is Increasingly Alarmed at the Prospect of a Biden Win

(Bloomberg) -- In Moscow, analysts for the Kremlin and its Security Council are working overtime to war-game scenarios for a Joe Biden presidency.

Increasingly alarmed at the prospect of a White House without Donald Trump, Russia is trying to determine what that’ll mean for sensitive issues from nuclear arms to relations with China, energy exports, sanctions and far-flung global conflicts, according to people familiar with the efforts. Though few see much prospect for improved ties if Trump is re-elected, Biden would likely be bad news for Russia, people close to the leadership said.

A Democratic victory may even give the Kremlin another reason to tear up its own electoral calendar, moving up parliamentary elections to the spring to get them out of the way before a new administration has time to impose additional sanctions or other penalties, according to a person close to the Kremlin, who spoke on condition of anonymity to express that opinion.

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WNU Editor: The above Bloomberg commentators totally miss the reasons why the Kremlin is worried about a Biden Presidency. Instead, the above commentary is just a rehash of Russian interference claims in the 2016 Presidential campaign, and quoting anti-Putin sources to make a list and say that this is the reason why the Kremlin is worried about a Biden Presidency. It is not. So what is the real reason why the Kremlin is worried about a Biden Presidency? They see a candidate who is experiencing all of the signs of early dementia, and there is a very real possibility that this is the person who may become responsible for the country's nuclear launch codes. The number one priority for President Putin is the security of Russia. In a worst case scenario between the U.S. and Russia, they know that they can deal with President Trump to defuse the situation. Not so in a Biden Presidency. In a Biden Presidency the Kremlin will make the calculation that they are dealing with a person whose faculties are not all there, and because of that President Biden's response in a crisis situation may be irrational and/or emotional. Or worse .... they may be forced to deal with people behind President Biden who they may not even know. And you can take this to the bank. In the past the Kremlin always knew who in the White House they were dealing with, and they could game it out. Not so in a Biden Presidency. In a crisis who will they be dealing with? President Biden? Vice President Harris? President Biden's advisers and national security officials? No one knows.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin Discuss Arms Control And The Pandemic In A Phone Call On Thursday

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin (file photo)

RFE: Trump, Putin Discuss Arms Control, Coronavirus In First Call Since Afghan Bounty Claims

WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Donald Trump said he spoke with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, about an arms agreement and fighting the coronavirus in their first call since explosive allegations emerged last month that Moscow had put bounties on U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan.

Neither the White House nor Kremlin readouts of the July 23 call mentioned the Afghanistan bounties, which have not been confirmed.

The two leaders discussed the expiring New START nuclear agreement and combating the coronavirus pandemic, according to both readouts. Trump and Putin also discussed Iran's nuclear program, the Kremlin statement said.

The New START treaty, which expires in February, limits the number of U.S. and Russian deployed strategic nuclear warheads to 1,550 each.

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More News On U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin Discussing Arms Control And The Pandemic In A Phone Call On Thursday

Trump tells Putin hopes to avoid US-Russia-China arms race -- AFP
Putin and Trump discussed arms control, Iran in phone call -- Reuters
Trump talks coronavirus, arms control in phone call with Putin -- The Hill
Trump speaks to Putin for first time since Russian 'bounty' revelations – but apparently fails to mention it -- The Independent
Trump tells Putin he wants to avoid three-way arms race with Russia & China -- RT
Putin and Trump Discuss Arms Control, Strategic Stability Over Phone -- Sputnik

U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo And Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Discuss Afghanistan And Election Security

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo shake hands at the conclusion of a joint news conference at the State Department in Washington, U.S., December 10, 2019. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Daily Mail: Mike Pompeo discusses Afghanistan with Russia amid reports of bounties for dead Americans - after Donald Trump called the story 'a hoax'

* The U.S. Secretary of State's chat followed a report which said Russia was paying Taliban militants bounties to kill U.S. service members
* Trump called the claims a 'hoax' and his administration downplayed the reports
* Exact details of Pompeo's call with Lavrov were not released Monday
* He is also said to have raised the issue of election security ahead of November

Mike Pompeo discussed the situation in Afghanistan with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday, the U.S. State Department has confirmed.

The U.S. Secretary of State's chat followed a report by The New York Times, which said that Russia was paying Taliban militants bounties to kill U.S. service members.

Donald Trump called the claims a 'hoax' and his administration has downplayed reports, saying U.S. agencies have not corroborated intelligence that Russia may have paid the Taliban to kill U.S. troops. Russia has denied the allegations.

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Update #1: Pompeo spoke with Russia's Lavrov about Afghanistan: U.S. State Dept -- Reuters
Update #2: Pompeo speaks with Russian foreign minister about election security and Afghanistan -- Washington Examiner

WNU Editor: No mention in the media, but current nuclear talks are stalled and there was no mention of it in these talks.

Russia Foreign Minister Lavrov 'Not Optimistic' About New START Treaty Talks With U.S.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. © Valery Sharifulin/TASS

RFE: Lavrov 'Not Optimistic' About New START Treaty Talks With U.S.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says he is "not particularly optimistic" about a possible extension of the New START nuclear arms-control treaty with the United States.

Lavrov said in Moscow on July 10 that the insistence by the United States that China join the treaty, a move that was quickly rejected by Beijing, suggests Washington has already decided not to prolong the pact once it expires in February next year.

"It seems that the U.S. has already decided not to prolong this treaty. Their vigor in focusing on the lack of an alternative to trilateral talks shows that this has been decided,” Lavrov said, according to the Interfax news agency.

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WNU Editor: Nothing gets accomplish with the US when it comes to foreign relations during a US Presidential year. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov knows that.

More News On Russia Foreign Minister Lavrov Saying He Is 'Not Optimistic' About New START Treaty Talks With U.S.

Russia skeptical about nuclear pact extension prospects -- AP
Russian FM Lavrov Warns About Rising Risks of Nuclear Confrontation -- Sputnik
‘They want to win’: NUCLEAR confrontation becomes likelier as US races for global domination, Russian FM says -- RT
Russia calls US’s newest stance on nuclear arms agreement 'undiplomatic,' considers not extending -- FOX News

Russian President Putin Mocks U.S. Embassy For Flying Rainbow Flag

While the flag became a target for homophobic protests, many people snapped selfies in front of it to signal their support for gay rights. Valery Sharifulin / TASS

Reuters: Putin mocks U.S. embassy for flying rainbow flag

MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin on Friday mocked the U.S. embassy in Moscow for flying a rainbow flag to celebrate LGBT rights, suggesting it reflected the sexual orientation of its staff.

His comments followed a nationwide vote on constitutional reforms that included an amendment enshrining the definition of marriage specifically as a union between a man and a woman.

Putin said the U.S. embassy’s move to raise the LGBT pride flag “revealed something about the people that work there”.

“It’s no big deal though. We have spoken about this many times, and our position is clear,” said Putin, who has sought to distance Russia from liberal Western values and aligned himself with the Russian Orthodox Church.

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Update #1: Putin Mocks U.S. Embassy Rainbow Flag (Moscow Times/AFP)
Update #2: Rainbow Ice Cream In Spotlight As Putin Calls For Monitoring Of 'Gay Propaganda' (RFE)

WNU Editor: In case anyone does not know. LGBT is not a thing in Russia.

Russian President Putin Voices Concerns That President Trump Is Losing Control Of The U.S.

Putin needs to understand 'agreements with his political counterpart can be trusted', the Interfax news agency quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying on Saturday

Daily Mail: Vladimir Putin suggests Donald Trump is losing control of the US amid widespread BLM protests as he seeks assurances that agreements with the president 'can be trusted'

* US and Russian envoys due to talk about 'the future of arms control' next week
* President Vladimir Putin has questioned whether he can trust Donald Trump
* The US president appeared to lose control amid widespread BLM protests

Russian President Vladimir Putin has questioned whether he can trust US President Donald Trump amid Black Lives Matter protests.

US and Russian envoys are due to talk about 'mutually agreed topics related to the future of arms control' in Austria next week.

Putin needs to understand 'agreements with his political counterpart can be trusted', the Interfax news agency quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying on Saturday.

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Update: Kremlin: Putin concerned about arrangements with U.S. amid protests - IFX (Reuters)

WNU Editor: Healthy societies do not have widespread riots, mass looting, the destruction of your country's historical heritage, the fire-bombing of a church in front of the White House, the vandalism of memorials like the World War II memorial and the Lincoln Memorial, and calls to de-fund/abolish the police. Couple this with Presidential candidate Biden and his commitment to transform the U.S. from the Trump agenda should he be elected (which current polls say he will win in November), Russian President Putin's concerns are well founded.

Moscow Says U.S. F-22s Intercepted Russian Nuclear-Capable Bombers Near Alaska

CNN: US military aircraft intercepted two Russian bombers and jets off coast of Alaska for second time in a week

US military aircraft intercepted two Russian bomber formations that entered the Air Defense Identification Zone off the coast of Alaska Tuesday evening, the second incident in the last week.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command said in a statement Wednesday that the first formation of Russian aircraft consisted of two bombers, accompanied by two fighter jets, and was supported by an airborne early warning and control aircraft.

The second formation consisted of two Russian bombers supported by another airborne early warning and control aircraft. The Russian military aircraft came within 32 nautical miles of Alaskan shores, but remained in international airspace and at no time did they enter US sovereign airspace.

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More News On Moscow Saying U.S. F-22s Intercepted Russian Nuclear-Capable Bombers Near Alaska

US fighters have rushed to intercept 8 Russian bombers approaching Alaska in the past week -- Business Insider
For 8th Time This Year, US Fighters Intercept Russian Bombers off Alaska -- Military.com
Russian bombers intercepted off Alaska coast for second time in a week -- FOX News
U.S. intercepts more Russian military planes near Alaska -- UPI
Moscow Says U.S. Planes Intercepted Russian Nuclear-Capable Bombers Near Alaska -- RFE
F-22s Intercept Two More Russian Bomber Formations Near Alaska -- Air Force Magazine
US Scrambles Fighters to Escort Russia's Strategic Bombers, Russian MoD Says -- Sputnik
Four Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers perform flight over neutral waters of northern seas -- TASS

Russian Media: Discussions Underway Between The US & Russia To Swap Paul Whelan For Viktor Bout & Konstantin Yaroshenko

(L) Paul Whelan © REUTERS/Tatyana Makeyeva; (R) Viktor Bout Wikipedia / public domain

RT: US & Russia discuss swapping Paul Whelan for Viktor Bout & Konstantin Yaroshenko - Interfax sources

Two days after he was convicted on spying charges and sentenced to 16 years in prison, Moscow news agency Interfax reports that Paul Whelan may be traded for two Russians jailed in the US. It cites “an informed source.”

The pair of Russians concerned are weapons dealer Victor Bout – serving 25 years – and pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko, who received a 20-year term. Interfax says it would be managed through presidential pardons.

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WNU Editor: As this blogger mentioned in his commentary three weeks ago, the Kremlin wants a swap .... Russian Prosecutors Seek A Long Jail Term For Ex-US Marine Accused Of Spying (May 25, 2020).

Is Russia's Handling Of The Coronavirus Pandemic Superior To The U.S.?

Russian president Vladimir Putin, pictured giving a speech on Friday, has attacked the US response to the coronavirus pandemic

Reuters: Putin says Russia's handling of coronavirus is superior to U.S.

MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday that Russia was emerging from the novel coronavirus epidemic with minimal losses, having handled it better than the United States where he said party political interests got in the way.

With 528,964 confirmed cases, Russia has the third-highest number of infections after Brazil and the United States.

Its official death toll stands at 6,948, much lower than in many other countries, including the United States which has had over 115,000 deaths. The veracity of Russian statistics has sometimes been the focus of fierce debate however.

“...We are working rather smoothly and emerging from this situation with the coronavirus confidently and, with minimal losses... But in the (United) States that is not happening,” Putin told state TV.

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WNU Editor: Still early to say if Russia's handling has been better. The pandemic is not over, and there are legitimate concerns for a second wave. But I find Russia's focus to protect the most vulnerable is working, even though I believe the official death toll at 6,948 is too low. Bottom line. Moscow is certainly not like New York City.

More News On Russia's Handling Of The Coronavirus Pandemic

Putin brags that Russia is dealing better with coronavirus than US despite having third highest number of cases in the world -- Daily Mail
Putin says Russia dealing better with virus than US -- France 24
Putin says Russia dealing with coronavirus better than US -- The Hill
Putin claims Russia handled coronavirus better than the US -- NYPost

Russian President Putin Says Riots And Pandemic In The U.S. Reflect A ‘Deep Domestic Crises’

Russian President Putin. Sputnik

CNBC: Putin says U.S. coronavirus pandemic and protests reflect ‘deep domestic crises’

* President Putin said the Covid-19 pandemic had “shone a spotlight” on issues in the country, adding that the protests for racial equality and against police brutality were the result of an internal crisis.
* He criticized scenes of destruction and looting seen during some protests.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has connected the U.S.′ handling of the coronavirus crisis with the widespread civil unrest and anti-racism protests in the country, according to Russian media reports.

Putin said the Covid-19 pandemic had “shone a spotlight” on issues in the country, adding that the protests for racial equality and against police brutality were the result of an internal crisis. However, he criticized scenes of destruction and looting seen during some protests.

“What has happened (in the U.S.) is the manifestation of some deep domestic crises,” Putin said, according to Tass news agency, which covered an interview with the president on state-run TV channel Rossiya-1 TV on Sunday.

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WNU Editor: Once in a while I am on a radio station in Moscow with a panel discussing international affairs, and the unrest in the U.S. was a topic that was discussed last week. I was on it, and I had to remind my panel that yes, there are problems in the U.S., but the vast majority of Americans do not riot, are not protesting, and do not share the values of those who are.

More News On Russian President Putin's Remarks On The Ongoing Unrest In The U.S.

Putin says riots following George Floyd killing symptom of deep-rooted crisis in America -- TASS
Putin says George Floyd protests reveal deep-seated internal crises in US -- RT
US Protests, Hypersonic Weapons, COVID-19 and Constitution: Putin Comments on Hot Topics -- Sputnik
Putin Says U.S. Is in ‘Deep Internal Crisis’ -- NYT
Putin: Protests and coronavirus show U.S. ‘internal crises’ -- Politico

Russia Convicts And Jails Ex-U.S. Marine For 16 Years On Spying Charges

RT: Russian court finds ex-US marine Paul Whelan guilty of espionage, sentences him to 16 years in prison

Eighteen months after he was arrested in a Moscow hotel room and accusing of spying, a Russian court has handed down a 16 year jail term to Paul Whelan, a national of four western countries: Canada, Ireland, the US and the UK.

The 50-year-old defendant described the trial, partly held behind closed doors, as a "sham" and protested his innocence throughout the process. After Monday morning's verdict, he immediately stated that he intends to appeal. There have been suggestions that Whelan could be returned to the US in a prisoner swap.

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More News On Russia Convicts And Jails Ex-U.S. Marine For 16 Years On Spying Charges

American convicted of spying in Russia, gets 16 years -- AP
Russia jails ex-U.S. marine for 16 years on spying charges -- Reuters
Russia sentences former US marine Paul Whelan to 16 years in prison for espionage -- France 24
US is left 'outraged' after ex-marine Paul Whelan is jailed for 16 years by a Russian court for stealing state secrets - as he holds up a sign saying 'sham trial' and 'Paul's life matters' -- Daily Mail
Former US Marine sentenced on spying charges in Russia -- The Hill
Paul Whelan: US 'outraged' as Russia jails ex-marine for spying -- BBC
Paul Whelan: Russian court sentences ex-US Marine to 16 years in jail -- DW
Russia sentences ex-US marine to 16 years in prison for spying -- The Guardian
Russian court sentences ex-U.S. Marine Paul Whelan to 16 years for espionage -- UPI
Russian court sentences former US Marine Paul Whelan to 16 years' jail for espionage -- ABC News Online
US demands release of former soldier jailed in Russia -- Al Jazeera

Epic Photo Of U.S. And Russian Officer Discussing On-The-Ground De-Confliction In Northern Syria

Epic photo: a #Russia/n and #American military officers discussing on-the-ground de-confliction (allegedly taken earlier this year somewhere in N.#Syria) pic.twitter.com/lsCNYXo15E

— Maxim A. Suchkov (@m_suchkov) May 27, 2020

WNU Editor: They even have face-masks.

Russia Tells The U.S. To Leave Syria And Deal With Your Problems Back Home

Instead of “protecting” oil fields in Eastern Syria, should the US Army be protecting the streets of America? pic.twitter.com/CCx8Gt8hH4

— Bassem (@BBassem7) June 1, 2020

Zero Hedge: Russia Demands US "Leave Syria & Deal With Your Own Problems" Amid Protests

Recall that last month, shortly before George Floyd protests plunged a number of American cities into unrest and chaos which witnessed often violent confrontations between demonstrators and police, a top US envoy for Syria policy boasted "my job is to make Syria a quagmire for the Russians."

But in the wake of the raging protests, which last week created a bit of a crisis for the White House as it mulled "action" against the worsening security situation on the Capitol, Russia has gone on the offensive, demanding that US forces get out of Syria in order to handle America's own mess at home.

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WNU Editor: Russia has a point. But the U.S. is not going to leave Syria anytime soon.

Russia Invites Pentagon U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper To Take Part In Victory Day Parade

U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper (file photo)

RFE: U.S. Defense Secretary Esper Invited To Moscow Military Parade

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has invited U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper to a military parade in Moscow later this month, the Defense Ministry says.

The Russian ministry said Shoigu made the invitation during a telephone conversation on June 2, without saying whether Esper had accepted it.

The June 24 parade on Moscow’s Red Square is to mark the 75th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. Russia traditionally holds the parade on May 9, but the grand celebration was postponed over the coronavirus pandemic that is still triggering thousands of new infections each day.

Relations between Washington and Moscow remain strained over a range of issues including the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine.

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WNU Editor: He should go. But he probably cannot. Too much is happening in the U.S. right now.

More News On Russia Inviting Pentagon U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper To Take Part In Victory Day Parade

Be our guest! Russia invites Pentagon chief to take part in Victory Day parade -- RT
Shoigu invites his US counterpart to Victory Parade in Moscow -- TASS
Russia invites U.S. defense secretary to Red Square military parade -- Reuters

Putin And Trump Have Phone Call Discussing G7 Summit And Current Oil Makrets

FILE PHOTO: Russia's President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump during a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan June 28, 2019. Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin via REUTERS/File Photo

Reuters: Putin and Trump discussed G7 summit, oil markets in call: Kremlin

MOSCOW (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump told President Vladimir Putin in a phone call on Monday about his idea of holding an expanded Group of Seven summit later this year with a possible invitation for Russia, the Kremlin and the White House said.

Trump said on Saturday he would postpone a G7 summit he had hoped to host next month until September or later and expand the list of invitees to include Australia, Russia, South Korea and India.

A White House statement on the call said Trump and Putin discussed “progress toward convening the G7.”

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WNU Editor: Canadian PM Trudeau says no to President Trump's wish to expand the G7 to include Russia .... Trudeau: Russia's return to the G-7 not acceptable (Politico). The other countries that President Trump wants to add are India, Australia and South Korea.

More News On Putin And Trump Having A Phone Call To Discuss The G7 Summit And Oil Markets

Kremlin: Trump tells Putin about idea for summit with Russia -- AP
Donald Trump offers to invite Vladimir Putin to expanded G7 summit -- The Guardian
Trump, Putin talk G-7 plans -- The Hill
Trump shares ideas to hold G7 summit with Putin — Kremlin -- TASS
Putin supports dialogue in all areas, Kremlin says after Trump G7 invitation -- RT

Russian Prosecutors Seek A Long Jail Term For Ex-US Marine Accused Of Spying

Paul Whelan, who holds citizenship in three countries including Canada, is escorted inside a court building in Moscow for a pretrial appearance on Oct. 24, 2019. Whelan's trial began in March and has proceeded in secrecy. (Tatyana Makeyeva/Reuters)

VOA: Russian Prosecutors Seek Long Jail Term for Ex-US Marine on Spying Charges

Russian prosecutors have asked a Moscow court to find former Marine Paul Whelan guilty of espionage -- a charge Whelan and U.S. officials vehemently deny -- and sentence him to 18 years in prison.

Whelan's lawyer, Vladimir Zherebenkov, said on May 25 that the Moscow City Court set June 15 as the date to hand down its verdict after a high-profile trial that has strained ties with Washington.

"Frankly speaking, we are all in shock," Zherebenkov said outside the Moscow City Court, where the trial was held.

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Update #1: Russia seeks 18-year jail term for ex-U.S. Marine in spying trial (Reuters)
Update #2: Former US marine Paul Whelan faces 18 years in Russia’s ‘harsh regime colony’ for spying (SCMP/AFP)

WNU Editor: Are the Russians trying to force a trade for this guy? .... Kremlin Offered To Swap Viktor Bout For Up To 15 US Citizens Imprisoned In Russia (September 10, 2019).

Early U.S.-Russia Nuclear Talks Have Begun

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Russian FM Sergey Lavrov in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi, Russia, May 14, 2019. © Reuters / Pavel Golovkin / Pool

Defense News: New nuclear talks begin between US, Russia

WASHINGTON ― Early U.S.-Russia talks on a new nuclear arms control agreement have begun, and the two sides have agreed to an in-person dialogue once the coronavirus pandemic subsides, according to a top U.S. State Department official.

Arms control envoy Marshall Billingslea announced Thursday he is in nascent talks with his Russian counterpart, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. The news comes a month after Moscow signaled readiness to include some of its latest nuclear weapons in the last remaining arms control pact between the two countries, if the U.S. agrees to extend the treaty.

“We have concrete ideas for our next interaction, and we’re finalizing the details as we speak," Billingslea said of himself and Ryabkov. "We’ve settled on a venue. And we’re working on an agenda based on the exchange of views that has taken place in our call.”

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WNU Editor: Nothing is going to happen this year when it comes to nuclear talks. The pandemic and the U.S. Presidential election will guarantee that.

In A Phone Call On Thursday Presidents Trump And Putin Discuss The Pandemic, Arms Control, Oil Production, And The 75th Anniversary On The End Of The Second World War

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump during a bilateral meeting at the G20 leaders summit in Osaka, Japan, June 28, 2019. © Reuters / Kevin Lamarque / File Photo

The Hill: Trump offers Russia assistance as its coronavirus cases soar

President Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday to commemorate the 1945 Allied victory over Nazi Germany and discuss efforts to combat the novel coronavirus.

Trump said he was prepared to assist Russia in combating COVID-19, according to White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere, an offer the president has extended to other countries.

Russia’s count of coronavirus cases soared to more than 177,000 after Moscow reported 11,231 new infections on Thursday.

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WNU Editor: Not a good day for Russia today, and it is impacting the Putin Presidency .... Russia Sees Record One-Day Coronavirus Cases as Putin’s Popularity Plunges (US News and World Report).

More News On Presidents Trump And Putin Phone Call 

Trump stresses desire for arms control with Russia, China in Putin call -- Reuters
Putin-Trump call focuses on coronavirus, arms control, oil -- Washington Post
Trump urges China, Russia, US arms control in Putin call: W.House -- AFP
Kremlin Says Trump Offered to Send Coronavirus Medical Aid to Russia -- New York Times
Trump speaks with Putin by phone, offers to send coronavirus medical aid to Russia – Kremlin -- RT

U.S. Officials Rattled By Presidents Trump And Putin Issuing A Joint Statement Calling For Cooperation

DW: Trump, Putin hail US-Russia ties on WWII Elbe meeting anniversary

The two leaders issued a rare joint statement marking the 75th anniversary of US and Soviet forces meeting on Germany's Elbe river during World War II. They said the event showed how Russia and the US can work together.

US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on Saturday commemorated American and Soviet forces coming together during the final days of World War II.

When the two allies met on the Elbe River near Torgau in Germany on April 25, 1945 — with the US military advancing from the West and Soviet forces advancing from the East — it was seen as a milestone event in conflict.

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WNU Editor: The joint statement was issued marking the 75th anniversary of US and Soviet forces meeting on Germany's Elbe river during World War II. Apparently what got some unnamed U.S. officials unnerved was that the statement also said that this coming together in 1945 proved that the U.S. and Russia can come together and work for a "common goal". In the middle of a pandemic that is now killing thousands of Americans and Russians per day certain unnamed US officials are more concerned that the US and Russia may work together?!?!?!?

More News On Presidents Trump And Putin Issuing A Joint Statement Calling For Cooperation

Trump, Putin Joint Statement Calls For Cooperation—But Rattles Some U.S. Officials -- Forbes
Putin and Trump Hail Trust and Cooperation on WWII Anniversary -- Moscow Times/AFP
Trump and Putin issued a symbolic statement for US and Russia to 'build trust, and cooperate,' raising fresh concerns about their relationship -- Business Insider
Trump, Putin issue joint commemorative statement triggering concerns from government officials -- The Hill

A Trump-Putin 'Reset'?

U.S. President Donald Trump gestures during a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a Group of 20 leaders summit in Osaka, Japan, last year.

RFE: A Trump-Putin 'Reset'? Flurry Of Communication Points To Behind-The-Scenes Diplomacy

On March 30, Russian leader Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump spoke by telephone, the first of five calls between the two over the next five weeks, a flurry of communication unprecedented during Trump's 3 1/2 years in office.

"We had a great call," Trump later told reporters. The Kremlin described the call as "lengthy" and said the two leaders "expressed serious concern regarding the scope of the spread of the coronavirus" and "discussed closer cooperation."

Meanwhile, the two countries' diplomats have spoken at least three times over that same period, which also coincided with an unusual shipment of Russian coronavirus-related humanitarian aid to the United States.

For many Russia watchers, the flurry of behind-the-scenes phone calls and other communications is a clear indication that something's going on.

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WNU Editor: Both countries are now facing the same crisis. A pandemic that is killing thousands, and an economic collapse that is throwing millions out of work. The instability that this pandemic is causing internationally is also a given, and there is no idea on where this will end. The fact that these two leaders are talking to each other on a regular basis should surprise no one. In fact, I am relieved that they are talking to each other on a regular basis.