- Title: Obama says hopes Trump can stand up to Russia when needed
- Date: 17th November 2016
- Summary: BERLIN, GERMANY (NOVEMBER 17, 2016) (HOST BROADCASTER POOL) NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, BARACK OBAMA, SAYING: "And in order for us to solve many big problems around the world, it is in our interest to work with Russia and obtain their cooperation. I think we should all hope for a Russia that is successful, where its people are employed and the economy is growing, and they are having good relationships with their neighbours. And participating constructively on big issues like climate change." OBAMA SPEAKING (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, BARACK OBAMA, SAYING: "And my hope is that the President-elect coming in takes a similarly constructive approach, finding areas where we can cooperate with Russia, where our values and interests align. But that the president-elect also is willing to stand up to Russia where they are deviating from our values and international norms. And I don't expect that the president-elect will follow exactly our blueprint or our approach, but my hope is that he does not simply take a realpolitik approach and says that, 'If we just cut some deals which Russia, even if it hurts people, or even if it violates international norms, or even if it leaves smaller countries vulnerable, or creates long-term problems in regions like Syria' that we just do whatever's convenient at the time." OBAMA SPEAKING (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, BARACK OBAMA, SAYING: "We continue to stand with the people of Ukraine and for the basic principle that nations have a right to determine their own destiny, and we discussed the importance of maintaining sanctions until Russia fully complies with the Minsk agreement." OBAMA SPEAKING (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, BARACK OBAMA, SAYING: "I am encouraged by the president-elect's insistence that NATO is a commitment that does not change, and his full commitment to NATO as the foundation for our international security, I think is very important." OBAMA SPEAKING
- Embargoed: 2nd December 2016 17:43
- Keywords: Barack Obama Russia sanctions Donald Trump
- Location: BERLIN, GERMANY
- City: BERLIN, GERMANY
- Country: Germany
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA00158U42MF
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday (November 17) said he hoped President-elect Donald Trump could stand up to Russia when needed, and would take a constructive approach to cooperating with Moscow where interests aligned.
"In order for us to solve many big problems around the world, it is in our interest to work with Russia," Obama told a joint news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
"My hope is that the president-elect coming in takes a similarly constructive approach, finding areas where we can cooperate with Russia where our values and interests align, but that the president-elect also is willing to stand up to Russia when they are deviating from our values and international norms," Obama said.
He added it was important for sanctions imposed against Russia over its actions in eastern Ukraine to remain in place until Moscow complied with the Minsk peace agreement.
On his last overseas trip, Obama is seeking to reassure US allies that Trump will maintain key core US strategic relationships around the world, including with NATO, once he takes office in January. - Copyright Holder: POOL (CAN SELL)
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