MOSCOW (AP) — The leaders of the United States, France, Germany and Britain say they are united in blaming Russia for a nerve agent attack on former spy Sergei Skripal.
In a rare joint statement, President Donald Trump, President Emmanual Macron, Chancellor Angela Merkel and Prime Minister Theresa May say “there is no plausible alternative explanation” to Russian responsibility in the March 4 attack in England.
They say Russia’s failure to respond to Britain’s “legitimate request” for an explanation “further underlines its responsibility.”
The leaders say the use of a chemical weapon is “an assault on U.K. sovereignty” and “a breach of international law.”
Britain has expelled 23 Russian diplomats and suspended high-level contacts with Moscow over the incident.
Russia is expected to take retaliatory measures soon.
How long before Trump gets a question about his support for the UK, which also asks him to explicitly blame Russia - in which he makes a public remark giving more wiggle room for Putin and doubt for the US support for the UK and this joint statement? It seems inevitable, and it would further diminish our relationship with our closest allies because of trump.
I hope I am wrong. But I am pretty sure I am not. Will it be days, hours, or a week?
Putin is the only constant in the squirrely world of Trumpski. I can hardly wait to hear why it really is just as fine as frog fur for Russia to employ a WMD nerve agent on UK territory.
Iz next: Godfather Putin makes his puppet dance the backchannel boogie after making an offer he can’t refuse. “Yes Master. We will say we agree but do nothing.”
I don’t think Trump had anything to do with this statement. Some people in the Administration have been pushing back against him. I suspect Mattis and others have drawn a bright line here against Trump. That’s a good sign and flies in the face of all these puff pieces that Trump is taking control. He isn’t in control.
I wonder who in Trumpworld convinced the President* to sign on to this statement, which seems so counter to his usual stances. It’s more like something read off a teleprompter (they tell me I have to say this) than a 5 am tweet (this is what I’m actually thinking).
Not in control of his own administration.
Not in control of his own words or emotions.
Not in control of his own destiny (oh, hello, Mr. Mueller).
But still in control of the fecking eejits at his rallies who actually still believe that this awful man is Making America Great Again, instead of tearing it down, brick by precious brick.