As Media Attacks Trump Over Putin Call, Conservatives Remind Obama Did Same Thing
By Randy DeSoto
March 21, 2018 at 4:50pm
President Donald Trump has been roundly criticized by the mainstream media for congratulating Russian President Vladimir Putin for winning re-election. However, in 2012, then-President Barack Obama did the same thing.
The Washington Post and CNN were two of the media outlets reporting, based on leaked information, that Trump had been specifically advised by his national security staff not to congratulate Putin.
These outlets and others emphasized that international observers believed this year’s election was illegitimate, due to alleged fraud and voter suppression, but the same was true in 2012.
Foreign Policy reported in March of that year: “The Russian people and international observers may not see last Sunday’s presidential election in Russia as legitimate, but President Barack Obama has now officially endorsed the return of Russian past and future President Vladimir Putin.”
Obama waited until late Friday afternoon following Putin’s election to make the call, which Foreign Policy characterized as a “news dump.”
“President Obama called Russian President-elect and Prime Minister Putin to congratulate him on his recent victory in the Russian Presidential election,” a White House statement read.
“President Obama highlighted achievements in U.S.-Russia relations over the past three years with President Medvedev, including cooperation on Afghanistan, the conclusion and ratification of the START agreement, Russia’s recent invitation to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) and cooperation on Iran,” the statement added.
“President Obama and President-Elect Putin agreed that the successful reset in relations should be built upon during the coming years.” Obama told Putin that he looked forward to Putin’s visit to the U.S. scheduled for May of that year during the G-8 Summit.
Putin later canceled the meeting over Russia’s objection to the United States’ planned deployment of radars and missile interceptors in Romania and Poland, Fox News reported.
What followed was Obama’s famous hot mic moment with outgoing Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in March 2012 during which the American leader said regarding missile defense, “This is my last election. After my election I have more flexibility.”
“I understand. I transmit this information to Vladimir,” Medvedev responded.