Politics & Government
Putin: Trump 'Not My Bride, And I'm Not His Groom'
Putin's comment comes after the Trump administration last week ordered the closure of three Russian facilities in the U.S.
WASHINGTON, DC — Russian President Vladimir Putin at a news conference in China on Tuesday said America's choice to close Russian diplomatic outposts in the U.S. was handled poorly, but dismissed as "naive" a question about whether he was disappointed in U.S. President Donald Trump.
In comments carried by Russian news agencies, Putin said Trump is "not my bride, and I'm not his groom."
Putin didn't criticize Trump and when questioned about Russia's thoughts on a possible Trump impeachment, Putin said it would be "absolutely wrong" for Russia to discuss domestic U.S. politics.(For more information on Putin's comments on Trump and other White House stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)
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Russian officials cheered Trump when he was elected last year, and Putin praised him as someone who wanted to improve ties with Russia. However, further U.S. sanctions on Russia and the U.S. decision to close Russian diplomatic outposts have raised concerns that the two countries remain far apart.
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The Trump administration last week ordered the closure of three Russian facilities in the U.S.: The San Francisco consulate and trade missions in New York and Washington. It was the latest in a series of escalating retaliatory measures between the former Cold War foes.
Putin said the U.S. had a right to close consulates but "it was done in such a rude way."
"It is hard to hold a dialogue with people who mix Austria with Australia," he continued, an apparent reference to a decade-old gaffe by George W. Bush, who during a 2007 visit to Sydney referred to Austrian troops when he meant Australian troops.
"The American nation, America is truly a great country and a great people if they can tolerate such a big number of people with such a low level of political culture," Putin said.
Photo credit: Wu Hong/Associated Press