Trump discusses Ukraine and Syria with European politicians via video link

[Eugene]

Source: The Guardian

Trump discusses Ukraine and Syria with European politicians via video link

The Republican presidential hopeful suggests setting up ‘a safe zone some place
in Syria’ and tells political leaders his feeling for Ukraine is ‘very, very strong’

Shaun Walker in Kiev
Friday 11 September 2015 20.18 BST

US presidential candidate Donald Trump made a bizarre appearance via video link to a major gathering of European politicians in Kiev on Friday, in which he promised to create a “very, very strong” US military and suggested organising “a safe zone some place in Syria”.

The audience, who were enjoying a four-course dinner during the video link, occasionally broke into laughter at his responses.

Trump was speaking to the Yalta European Strategy Forum, an annual gathering of politicians and businesspeople organised by Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Pinchuk. Former UK prime minister Tony Blair is a frequent guest at the forum, and spoke on Friday in a discussion with former Israeli president Shimon Peres. Trump’s video link was subject to a delay of several seconds, which appeared to confuse Trump. Nevertheless, he was able to touch on a number of major foreign policy issues in his opening remarks.

“My feeling toward the Ukraine and towards the entire area is very, very strong. I know many people that live in the Ukraine, they’re friends of mine, they’re fantastic people,” said Trump, who referred repeatedly to “the Ukraine”, apparently oblivious to the fact the use of the definite article when referring to the country is considered insulting by Ukrainians.

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Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/sep/11/donald-trump-ukraine-video-link

[Jim__]

1. "The audience ... occasionally broke into laughter at his responses."

I wonder if they were laughing with him or at him. Actually, I can guess.

[MisterP]

4. reminds me of Oliver Sacks' report of his psych wards roaring with laughter at Reagan's speeches

it was so big that the orderlies came running

[Tennessee37]

6. Clown Town

When the circus comes to town and needs a clown, Trump is assured of a job.

Trump/Palin '16
Biden/Putin '16

[herding cats]

7. Biden/Putin '16?

I don't get it.

[ColesCountyDem]

8. I beg your pardon?

What does that mean?

[Hortensis]

2. "Our military would be very, very strong ... hopefully to the point we wouldn't

have to use it..." in speaking to a gathering of foreign leaders? Oh, my. At least they apparently chose to find our own leading conservative presidential candidate entertaining...

[underpants]

3. A clASS act that guy

“Viktor I’ve known for a long time and he is a tremendous guy,” said Trump of the Ukrainian oligarch, who is married to the daughter of Ukraine’s former president, Leonid Kuchma. “When he was up seeing me I said I think I can learn more from you than you can learn from me.”