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Trump Downplays Putin Threat to NATO, CIA Chief's Russia Visit Underreported

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News From a news agency New plan
  • President Donald Trump asserted that Russian President Vladimir Putin poses no threat to NATO territory.
  • Trump's comments followed reports of a secret visit by CIA Director John Ratcliffe to Moscow, reportedly to warn Russia against attacking NATO.
  • The Kremlin dismissed reports of a potential Russian attack on NATO as alarmist, with an EU official stating no such military plans were detected.

President Donald Trump publicly stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin "will not attack" NATO territory, effectively downplaying concerns voiced in media reports about Washington's worries regarding Russian actions in Europe. Trump made these remarks at the White House, directly contradicting narratives suggesting heightened tensions.

I had a very good conversation with him. He's not going to attack NATO territory.

— Donald TrumpResponding to a question about whether Putin would attack NATO territory.

Trump's comments came just two days after U.S. media reported that CIA Director John Ratcliffe made a surprise visit to Moscow. The purpose of this alleged visit was reportedly to deliver a warning to Russia against any potential aggression towards NATO members. When questioned by reporters about whether Putin had agreed not to attack NATO, Trump stated, "I had a very good conversation with him. He's not going to attack NATO territory."

When pressed further to confirm reports that Ratcliffe had issued a warning to Russia, Trump declined to comment directly on the intelligence matter but reiterated his confidence, saying, "They are not going to attack." Trump also appeared to ease concerns regarding potential U.S. sanctions against Russia over its dealings with Iran. His administration had previously threatened a "D-Day" style economic action against Iran's commercial partners if Tehran did not allow access to the Strait of Hormuz. Trump, however, suggested Russia had behaved appropriately concerning the strait, stating, "I think Russia has done a very good job so far on the Strait of Hormuz."

They are not going to attack.

— Donald TrumpConfirming his belief that Russia would not attack NATO, despite reports of CIA warnings.

The Kremlin responded to the media reports by dismissing claims of potential Russian aggression against NATO as "alarmist." Additionally, a senior European Union official, speaking anonymously, indicated that European intelligence agencies had not detected any signs of Russian military plans targeting NATO countries in Europe. This statement from the EU official aligns with Trump's assertion of a lack of imminent threat.

I think Russia has done a very good job so far on the Strait of Hormuz.

— Donald TrumpCommenting on Russia's actions regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
About this summary

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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