Even though she views him as a bully, Hillary Clinton said that she would be open to extending an olive branch to Vladimir Putin.
“Well it would depend what I got for it,” Clinton responded when asked if she would hand Putin a reset button if elected, like she did as secretary of state in 2009.
She went on to explain that diplomats and politicians must always try to determine how to “figure out the interests of the other to see of there is some way to advance your security and your values.” And thus she wouldn’t be opposed to extending the arm to the Russian leader, despite his past transgressions.
In 2009, Clinton presented the Russian foreign affairs minister with a literal and figurative “reset button” to attempt to improve U.S. relations. Since then, relations have detioriated.
“He has a mixed record to say the least and we need to figure out how to deal with it,” Clinton contended.
“My relationship with him … is interesting,” Clinton said with a laugh. “It’s one I think of respect we’ve had some very tough dealings with one another and I know he is someone you have to continually stand up to. Like many bullies he is someone is going to take as much as he possibly can unless you do.”
