Kellyanne Conway confirmed Friday that lifting sanctions placed on Russia by the Obama administration was “under consideration” ahead of a planned call between President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart this weekend.
In a conversation with “Fox & Friends,” Trump’s counselor was asked about a call reportedly planned between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin for Saturday.
Host Brian Kilmeade asked Conway if sanctions placed against Russia by the Obama administration would be “on the table right away.”
“All of that is under consideration,” Conway replied.
“If another nation that has considerable resources wishes to join together with the United States of America to try to defeat and eradicate radical Islamic terrorism, we are listening,” she added later. “It’s very important to at least have this conversation.”
Kilmeade interjected to ask if Russia would have to “change their behavior” for such sanctions to be lifted, seemingly referring to Russian aggression in Ukraine, and to Syria.
“Like not carving up other countries and not destroying, you know, families and towns indiscriminately like they are doing in Syria,” he said.
Conway skirted around the question.
“You know what the President has said: It’s America first and that includes in his foreign policy and his national security moves,” she said. “So, yes, he will call out other nations when he believes it’s not in America’s interest and in the interest of humanity. That’s what these conversations are for, these private conversations with world leaders.”
