Donald Trump says he will keep current US sanctions on Russia 'in tact'
The President-elect has insisted he is optimistic about the US’ potential to have a positive relationship with Russia, but says initially, he will keep Obama’s controls in place.
The Obama administration imposed sanctions on Russia in late December as punishment for the Kremlin’s alleged cyber attacks during the US presidential election.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Mr Trump said he would maintain the sanctions on Russia until Moscow agrees to cooperate with the US on tackling terrorism.
Mr Trump said: “If you get along and if Russia is really helping us, why would anybody have sanctions if somebody’s doing some really great things?”
Despite the furore this week surrounding the unsubstantiated dossier of damning material on Trump allegedly collected by a former spy with links to the Kremlin, the Republican says he is eager to meet Vladimir Putin and his aides.
Mr Trump said: “I understand that they would like to meet, and that’s absolutely fine with me.”
The Republican billionaire also said he wouldn’t allow the US’ relations with China be underpinned by Beijing’s One China policy, which considers Taiwan part of China rather than an independent nation.
Mr Trump said he is prepared to become more sympathetic to the One China policy if he sees changes in Beijing’s currency and trade practices.
Mr Trump hopes to 'get along' with Putin
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