President Donald Trump agreed to meet alliance leaders in Europe in May in a phone call on Sunday with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg that also touched on the separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine, the White House said. Trump was elected on a pledge to push NATO members to increase their funding to the western alliance to ease the financial burden on the United States. This proposal has drawn opposition from both his fellow Republicans as well as Democrats and the idea has worried European allies who fear Russian President Vladimir Putin might take advantage. A White House statement said Trump and Stoltenberg "discussed how to encourage all NATO allies to meet their defense spending commitments." "President Trump agreed to join in a meeting of NATO leaders in Europe in May," the statement said. Trump and Stoltenberg also "discussed the potential for a peaceful resolution of the conflict along the Ukrainian border." Over the past week a flare-up in hostilities has erupted … [Read more...] about Trump agrees to meet NATO leaders in Europe in May
Trump ties to russia
FBI probes possible U.S. ties to corruption by former Ukraine president: CNN
The FBI and U.S. Justice Department are investigating possible U.S. ties to alleged corruption involving the former president of Ukraine, including the work of firms headed by political operatives Paul Manafort and Tony Podesta, CNN reported on Friday, citing multiple U.S. law enforcement officials. The broad-based investigation was looking into whether U.S. companies and the financial system were used to enable corruption by the party of former pro-Russian Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych, CNN said. A person who answered a telephone number for Manafort said Manafort was not available for comment. The person, who said he was an associate of Manafort and who gave his name only as David, referred queries to a lawyer in Washington, who did not immediately respond to a phone call and an email. In response to a report in the New York Times on Monday, Manafort denied any impropriety in a statement. "I have never received a single 'off-the-books cash payment' as falsely 'reported' by The … [Read more...] about FBI probes possible U.S. ties to corruption by former Ukraine president: CNN
Trump promises to work with NATO to defeat Islamic State
Republican Donald Trump said on Monday he would work closely with NATO allies to defeat Islamic State militants if he wins the White House, reversing an earlier threat that the United States might not meet its obligations to the Western military alliance. In a policy speech, Trump said he would wage a multi-front "military, cyber and financial" war against Islamic State, although it was not clear how that would differ from the Obama administration's fight with the jihadist group. "We will also work closely with NATO on this new mission," said Trump, whose remarks about the defense organization earlier this summer drew heavy criticism from allies and even some of his fellow Republicans. Trump said a newly adopted approach to fighting terrorism by the organization had led him to change his mind and he no longer considered NATO obsolete. He was apparently referring to reports the alliance is moving toward creating an intelligence post in a bid to improve information sharing. While Trump … [Read more...] about Trump promises to work with NATO to defeat Islamic State
Trump should change tack or drop out: Wall Street Journal
Republican Donald Trump should fix his stumbling White House campaign by Labor Day or step down, The Wall Street Journal said on Monday in a sharply worded warning from a leading conservative voice. "Mr. Trump has alienated his party and he isn't running a competent campaign," the newspaper said in an editorial. The paper's editorial board, which generally favors Republicans, has been critical of Trump but its warning on Monday was its strongest attack yet and echoed growing anxiety among many Republicans over the state of Trump's campaign. The New York real estate developer, who has never held elected office, has been mired in weeks of controversy and opinion polls show him falling behind Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in the race for the Nov. 8 election. Trump's "window for a turnaround is closing," the Journal said, urging his backers to push the candidate toward a promised "pivot" to a presidential posture and a more disciplined campaign. "If they can’t get Mr. Trump to … [Read more...] about Trump should change tack or drop out: Wall Street Journal
Trump willing to talk to North Korea’s Kim, wants to renegotiate climate accord
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said on Tuesday he is willing to talk to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to try to stop Pyongyang's nuclear program, proposing a major shift in U.S. policy toward the isolated nation. In a wide-ranging interview with Reuters, Trump also called for a renegotiation of the Paris climate accord, said he disapproved of Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions in eastern Ukraine, and said he would seek to dismantle most of the U.S. Dodd-Frank financial regulations if he is elected president. The presumptive Republican nominee declined to share details of his plans to deal with North Korea, but said he was open to talking to its leader. "I would speak to him, I would have no problem speaking to him," Trump said of Kim. North Korea's mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trump's remarks. Trump, 69, also said he would press China, Pyongyang's only major diplomatic and economic supporter, to help … [Read more...] about Trump willing to talk to North Korea’s Kim, wants to renegotiate climate accord