The New York Times editorial board hit President Trump for congratulating Russia President Vladimir Putin this week even while acknowledging that former President Barack Obama did the same thing in 2012.
In an editorial published Wednesday night, the Times said it was “very different” when Obama offered his own compliments to Putin.
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“While the administration recently imposed its first significant sanctions on Russia for election interference and other malicious cyberattacks and has faulted Russia for the poisoning of a former Russian spy and his daughter in Britain, Mr. Trump has refrained from criticizing Mr. Putin or calling him to account,” the paper said. “The phone call reinforced that approach.”
Trump’s critics pounced when it was reported Tuesday that his national security advisers cautioned him not to congratulate Putin’s victory, given Russia’s lack of free elections.
But it was quickly pointed out that the White House had announced on March 9, 2012, “President Obama called Russian President-elect and Prime Minister Putin to congratulate him on his recent victory in the Russian Presidential election.”
Trump has personally avoided publicly criticizing Putin, though his White House has repeatedly highlighted measures it has taken against Russia following the Kremlin’s attempt to interfere in the 2016 election by using social media to spread politically divisive messages.
