Trump warns Russia that missiles to Syria ‘will be coming’ — ‘get ready’
WASHINGTON — After several days of deliberating a response to an alleged Syrian gas attack, President Donald Trump tweeted a promise on Wednesday to attack the country with “nice and new and ‘smart!’” missiles despite Russia’s vow to counter them.
Trump’s tweet was a response to Russian threats to shoot down any missiles headed toward Syria. Russia is allied with the regime of Syrian strongman Bashar Assad.
“Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and ‘smart!’ ” Trump wrote. “You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!”
Trump had said Monday that he would decide on a response to the alleged gas attack within 48 hours. But tweeting about it violates Trump’s longstanding boast that he does not telegraph military actions, because it ruins the element of surprise. Military experts have said the strategic value of a surprise attack is often outweighed in modern warfare by other concerns, including the need to protect civilians and allied groups that may be near opposition targets.
The tweet is also unusual in confronting Russia rhetorically. Though the Trump administration has imposed sanctions on Russia, Trump has only occasionally spoken out against the country or its leader, Vladimir Putin.
But Trump showed exceptional frustration with Russia on Wednesday, issuing a second tweet that said “our relationship with Russia is worse now than it has ever been, and that includes the Cold War.”
Trump, who did not mention Putin by name, added that “there is no reason for this,” suggesting that the countries can work together on economic policies and nuclear arms control.
Russia’s ambassador to Lebanon warned that Moscow would shoot down any missile strike against Syria and view such a move by the United States or its allies as a war crime.
“Russia will execute the statement of its president related to any U.S. aggression against Syria, knocking down American missiles and striking at the sources of fire,” Ambassador Alexander Zasypkin told the Lebanese television channel Al-Manar.