U.S. President
Barack Obama on Thursday said he hoped President-elect Donald Trump could stand
up to Russia when needed, and would take a constructive approach
to cooperating
with Moscow where interests aligned.
"In order for
us to solve many big problems around the world, it is in our interest to work
with Russia," Obama told a joint news conference with German Chancellor
Angela Merkel.
"My hope is
that the president-elect coming in takes a similarly constructive approach,
finding areas where we can cooperate with Russia where our values and interests
align, but that the president-elect also is willing to stand up to Russia when
they are deviating from our values and international norms," Obama said.
He added it was
important for sanctions imposed against Russia over its actions in eastern
Ukraine to remain in place until Moscow complied with the Minsk peace
agreement.
Obama, asked if he
thought Merkel should run for a fourth term as chancellor, said he considered
her an outstanding leader and would vote for Merkel, if he were a German
citizen.
Reuters
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