CNN host Fareed Zakaria didn’t mince words when describing President Donald Trump’s longtime fascination with Russian President Vladimir Putin – a relationship that the foreign policy expert described as “the most one-sided romance in diplomatic history.”
Speaking to CNN’s Erin Burnett on Thursday, Zakaria said while Trump has made multiple concessions to appease Putin, whom he has showered with praise, the MAGA leader has received nothing in return.
“What's striking about it – this is the most one-sided romance in diplomatic history,” Zakaria said. “Trump keeps praising Putin, making concessions to him, talking about him as his great friend, and there you have Putin on the other side, stone-cold sober, calculating his interests, never giving an inch.
“But it doesn't seem to change the way Trump looks at it,” he added.
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While Trump has made public attempts to appear more critical of Putin, Zakaria reminded Burnett of his track record.
“He essentially made every concession to Putin that Putin seemed to have asked for,” Zakaria said. “Remember, the Russians asked for three things.”
“They wanted to be able to hold on to all of Ukraine they had conquered, which is about 20% of the country,” Zakaria said. “Trump said, ‘Fine.’ They said Ukraine can't be a member of NATO. Trump said, ‘Yes, Ukraine will not be a member of NATO.’ They said no American troops in Ukraine are guaranteeing its security. He said, ‘Fine. No American troops in Ukraine.'"
Zakaria concluded: “So Trump gave Putin everything and Putin is still not giving Trump anything.”
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