H.R. McMaster, Donald Trump’s former White House national security adviser, reportedly told colleagues during his tenure, “The president thinks he can be friends with Putin. I don’t know why, or why he would want to be.”
McMaster’s assessment about Trump’s wishes was bolstered two weeks ago, when the American president hosted a press conference in Brussels as the latest NATO summit wrapped up. A reporter asked Trump why he expects to “get along” with the Russian leader.
The Republican replied that he and Putin “got along very well” during their previous encounters, adding, “He’s not my enemy, and hopefully, someday, maybe he’ll be a friend. It could happen.”
Either Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, didn’t see the president’s comments, or she simply didn’t care.
Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said Monday that Russia is “never going to be our friend,” but downplayed concerns over President Trump’s meeting and press conference last week with Russian President Vladimir Putin.









