Trump taunts Russia: ‘Get ready’ for new, ‘smart’ missiles
President Trump criticized Russia for its staunch support of Syrian President Bashar Assad, even as the commander in chief lamented the fact that relations between the United States and Russia have hit rock bottom.
“Our relationship with Russia is worse now than it has ever been, and that includes the Cold War. There is no reason for this,” Trump tweeted. “Russia needs us to help with their economy, something that would be very easy to do, and we need all nations to work together. Stop the arms race?”
Trump laid the blame at the feet of Special Counsel Robert Mueller of the “Fake and Corrupt Russia Investigation” and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who oversees the probe into collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign.
The president promised missiles would be fired at Syria and would evade Russian interception efforts. He warned Russia against backing Assad.
“Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and ‘smart!’” Trump tweeted. “You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!”
Shortly after the chemical weapon attack against a Syrian rebel stronghold that killed at least 70 people, Trump named Russian President Vladimir Putin as sharing in the responsibility for the “mindless” attack, given his support for Assad.
Tom Nichols, professor at the Naval War College, said managing a relationship with Russia is a messy undertaking.
“It’s difficult for any Western democracy to have a good relationship with Russia because of the nature of the regime. It’s a mafia state,” Nichols said. “In that sense, Russia doesn’t have friends. Russia, as this regime, cares first and foremost about the regime, and everything else comes second.”
Putin cares only about staying in power and restoring Russia back to the sort of perceived glory it had as the former Soviet Union, Nichols said.
“The one thing the regime respects is strength,” Nichols said. “I think not having any illusions and speaking to them in a direct way is important.”