Sergey Lavrov, Donald Trump, Sergey Kislyak

On May 9th, 2017 the world learned the shocking news that FBI Director James Comey had been fired. James Comey was investigating the Russian interference into the 2016 election and the Trump campaign’s collusion with Russia. The recommendations to fire Comey came from Attorney General Sessions (who previously had recused himself from all investigations into Russia and the White House) and Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein. The termination of Comey came on the heels of probably one of the most shocking events that would occur. The following day on May 10th the world yet again was shocked when the Foreign Minister of Russia, Sergey Lavrov showed up for a meeting at the White House. In attendance at this surprise meeting was Sergey Kislyak (the Russian Ambassador to the United States) and Henry Kissinger.

Henry Kissinger, Donald Trump White House May 10, 2017

This meeting which sent a chilling message to the world was apparently granted at the request of Putin on the morning of the meeting. All 17 US Intel agencies have come to the agreement that Russia did indeed interfere in the 2016 US elections and are currently investigating and analyzing all methods that were used in this attack. Under normal circumstances the US President would be concerned about an attack on America and use all resources available to investigate Russia’s interference and formulate the appropriate punishment. Instead Trump invited the Russians to the White House.

Donald Trump, Sergey Kislyak

The optics of this meeting sent a strong message to our Allies and Putin’s enemies, of the power and influence Putin currently holds over the United States. The fact that Trump invited government officials from a country that attacked us and is currently supporting a murderous regime in Syria is very disturbing. What’s more disturbing was the insulting move to our free press to only allow Russian media into the meeting. Also, Tass Russian Media which covered the meeting, is known to be a cover for Russian spies.

In just one meeting Trump managed to cause a bigger rift with our Allies, diminish the world view of the United States, and instill panic into smaller countries that are in direct fear of Russia’s takeover. If the United States can so easily lose to Russia then what chances do the countries in the Baltics and Ukraine have of survival. Putin knew exactly what he was doing when he arranged the Trump- Lavrov meeting with the backdrop of the White House and Trump was more than willing to help send Russia’s message to the world.