The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Trump returns to US and Russia links inquiry
US: No climate accord decision after US President’s tour, as controversy mounts
US President Donald Trump faced new controversies over his team’s possible ties to Russia as he ended his first foreign trip on Saturday.
The five-stop sprint ended with the promise of an imminent decision on the much-discussed Paris climate accord.
Mr Trump tweeted that he would make a final decision next week on whether to withdraw from the pact.
European leaders have been pressuring Mr Trump to stay in the accord at their meetings with him this week.
After a second day of meetings at the G7 summit in Sicily and remarks to US troops at a nearby air base, Mr Trump was returning to Washington and a new crush of Russia-related controversies.
On Friday the Washington Post reported that Mr Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner spoke to Russia’s ambassador to the US about setting up secret communications with Moscow. Mr Trump held no news conferences during the nine-day trip, allowing him to avoid questions about the Russia investigations.
The president was warmly received on his opening stops in Saudi Arabia and Israel, though he has come under more pressure in Europe, particularly over the Paris accord.
As the G7 summit came to a close on Saturday, the six other members – Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan – renewed their commitment to the accord.
Mr Trump also touted a renewed commitment by Nato members to spend more on defence.
“Many Nato countries have agreed to step up payments considerably, as they should. Money is beginning to pour in – Nato will be much stronger,” he said.