Vladimir the merciful?
Following this morning's reports that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov would recommend to Russian President Vladimir Putin a retaliation in kind, and expel 35 American diplomats, saying that “we cannot leave such acts unanswered. Reciprocity is part of diplomatic law" with Putin spokesman Peskov adding that "there is no doubt that Russia's adequate and mirror response will make Washington officials feel very uncomfortable as well", it was ultimately up to Putin to decide how to respond to the US.
Which he did on Friday morning, when in a stunning reversal, the Russian leader took the high road, rejected the Lavrov proposal, and in a statement posted by the Kremlin said that Russia won’t expel any Americans in retaliation to US moves, in a brutal demonstration of just how irrelevant Obama's 11th hour decision is for US-Russian relations.
The reversal comes as Russian officials portrayed U.S. sanctions as a last act of a lame-duck president and suggested that Trump could reverse them when he takes over the White House in January.
President Obama expels 35 ???????? diplomats in Cold War deja vu. As everybody, incl ???????? people, will be glad to see the last of this hapless Adm. pic.twitter.com/mleqA16H8D
— Russian Embassy, UK (@RussianEmbassy) December 29, 2016
Earlier Russian Prime Minster Dmitry Medvedev said the Obama administration was ending its term in "anti-Russia death throes."
"It is regrettable that the Obama administration, which started out by restoring our ties, is ending its term in an anti-Russia death throes. RIP," Medvedev, who served as president in 2009 when Obama tried to improve Russia-U.S. relations, wrote on his official Facebook page.
In the just released statement, Putin laughed off Obama's 11th hour temper tantrum, and said that Russia won’t cause problems to U.S. diplomats or deport anyone, adding that Russia has the right to respond in tit-for-tat manner, but it will not engage in irresponsible diplomacy.
The punchline, however, was saved for what may be Russia's final slam of the debacle that is Obama's administration saying that "It’s a pity that the current U.S. administration is finishing their work in such a manner" saying that Russia refuses "to sink to the level of this irresponsible "kitchen" diplomacy."
Putin ended the statement by congratulating U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, and the American people on the New Year and invited the hildren of US diplomats to a holiday celebration at the Kremlin.
From the full statement posted on the Kremlin website:
Although we have the right to retaliate, we will not resort to irresponsible ‘kitchen’ diplomacy but will plan our further steps to restore Russian-US relations based on the policies of the Trump Administration.
And with that one statement, Obama lost the diplomatic war with Russia.
In other news, the Kremlin said it will send a government plane to the US to evacuate the expelled diplomats and their family members. Earlier, there were reports that the diplomats were having problems buying tickets on such short notice, with airlines already booked by New Year’s travelers.
* * *
Full Putin statement below:
We regard the recent unfriendly steps taken by the outgoing US administration as provocative and aimed at further weakening the Russia-US relationship. This runs contrary to the fundamental interests of both the Russian and American people. Considering the global security responsibilities of Russia and the United States, this is also damaging to international relations as a whole.
As it proceeds from international practice, Russia has reasons to respond in kind. Although we have the right to retaliate, we will not resort to irresponsible ‘kitchen’ diplomacy but will plan our further steps to restore Russian-US relations based on the policies of the Trump Administration.
The diplomats who are returning to Russia will spend the New Year’s holidays with their families and friends. We will not create any problems for US diplomats. We will not expel anyone. We will not prevent their families and children from using their traditional leisure sites during the New Year’s holidays. Moreover, I invite all children of US diplomats accredited in Russia to the New Year and Christmas children’s parties in the Kremlin.
It is regrettable that the Obama Administration is ending its term in this manner. Nevertheless, I offer my New Year greetings to President Obama and his family.
My season’s greetings also to President-elect Donald Trump and the American people.
I wish all of you happiness and prosperity.
Obama is the outgoing Chamberlin; Trump is the incoming Churchill; Putin is the sidekick Stalin!
Book> The Road to World War III: "Can the dark forces of anti-freedom "Trump" humanity?"
Kindle> https://www.amazon.com/Road-World-War-III-anti-Freedom-ebook/dp/B01MT31A...
Keep your enemies close!
Well done Putin............ a real leader with a brain.
Mr. Teflon and Obama flinging poo like a kindergarten boy.
Like a Boss.
Putin wins - again!
OMG, first Trump totally destroys obastard, now Putin mops up the floor. obastard will go down as the most disrespected POTUS ever. America has only one direction after Jan 20th and that is up. Congrats Vlad!!
Obama is the outgoing Chamberlin; Trump is the incoming Churchill; Putin is Stalin!
Book> The Road to World War III: "Can the dark forces of anti-freedom "Trump" humanity?"
Kindle> https://www.amazon.com/Road-World-War-III-anti-Freedom-ebook/dp/B01MT31A...
Putin did this because he knows the IDIOT is almost out of office and a real president is about to take over.....
And hoping that merica gets a real foreign policy in place and not reacting to everything like a drunk cowboy in a bar shooting up the place with his twin six shooters, while everyone hides under the tables.
Obongo reminds me of those transvestite hookers that I used to see trolling 42nd St (before Ghouliani decided he'd been canonised 'The New Sheriff In Town' who was gonna clean up the joint): the more they got past their "sell-by-date" the more outlandish the 'dress', the more outrageous the 'acting out' and the more hysterical the hawking.
Just as with Putin's demure dismissal of Obongo's bizarre blandishments to "get it on", I'd calmly brush off their lurid & lascivious enticements with a "Thanks but no thanks 'ladies' ", and be on my merry way - usually to meet with an aspiring actress (or two) for dinner at the erstwhile & legendary Mama Leone's - where they could stuff their faces with the best home-made pasta in town 'til midnight for about 5 bucks (with a bottle of plonk gratis)
Nice work Mr Putin - that's the way to do it.
Putin's calculated, purposefully nonchalant dismissal of these diplomatic "rebukes" must strike deeply at White House narcissism. Likely none of the perpetual adolescent Inner Circle anticipated Russia's "mature" response.
Well hopefully Obama is done wailing and tossing all his toys out of the pram...
Another example of Putin playing Chess and Obama playing checkers (poorly). Putin is waiting for the adults to take over on January 20 so that the affairs of state can proceed in a professional manner.
Obama continues to make a complete ass of himself.
How embarassing for our country to have such a petulant, narcissistic child as our President for 8 very long years.
Ha! Obama made a fool on the world stage - this is the World Leaders-level equivalent of 'They go low, we go high'. Putin just told Obama to go to hell because he knows he's just like the rest of us....anxiously waiting for these next 20 days to pass so we can kick Obama to the curb once and for all & actually get back to progress and mutual benefit deal-making.
Obama doing his damndest to start WW3 before 1/20 though - that may be the intent all along here.
checkmate
A radical Muslim will always revert back to his diabolic indoctrination, no matter how many sweet promises he makes.
Congratulations Mr. President, you just beat yourself to the most embarrasing act by a modern day president. And we all thought your apology tour 8 years ago would maintain first place. This completely childish act of defiance against a country that might or might not have played a role in exposing an inconvenient truth was met by a professional statesman response. You went low, they went high. And the rest of us are utterly embarrased.
Trump>Churchill; Putin> Stalin!
Book> The Road to World War III: "Can the dark forces of anti-freedom "Trump" humanity?"
Kindle> https://www.amazon.com/Road-World-War-III-anti-Freedom-ebook/dp/B01MT31A...
Was the message just for Obama? I believe Putin specifically used the word "kitchen", as in "kitchen cabinet" - a group of unofficial advisers to a political leader, esp when considered to be more influential than the official cabinet. (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/kitchen+cabinet). It looks to be a slap in the direction of the neocons and neolibs who are advising Obama on what to do. On the surface, both sides profess a smooth transition of power, but there are continuing undercurrents in the deep state war.
Obama ain't got long to pretend anymore.
I just hope that a year from now I can look at Obamas logo and be reminded of "somewhere over the rainbow" and not "eve of destruction".
I gotta go take an Obama.
Thank God on election day, all of America (with any brain)
took a big oshmama dump!!
But he is like that very healthy shit that takes a little too long to finally flush out.
Ya like to watch after the flush, the two hands in the air frantically waving as the whirl pool goes down with him?
Sounds to me like we finally are seeing some adult supervision.
Wouldn' it be nice if the POTUS had a brain? How different things would be. Russians love their leader while mericas wish their cornholing prez would die.
.....and the microphone drops. Didnt see that coming. Well played Vlad.
ZH needs to make up their fucking minds...they are showing me some aleister crwoley type insanity .....brawndos got what plants crave zh.....now post it
Curb that parrot man - he's still pecking at your keyboard. Appears to be channeling Cthulhu.
Wow! Slap with not hand.
Mr. Putin has outsmarted Obama in all fronts.
It really wasn't fair, Putin's opponent was no challenge. The handlers were non graduates, just drop out's.
Trump needs to expel Paul Ryan.
Truly brilliant.
This is a good reply and move from Putin and Russia. As the NWO is being rejected, they are attempting to increase tension between the nations in order to bring in a war, one of their last tools in order to aline everyone under their flag. We do not want war! We do not want a NWO! We want individual nations that can have their differences, work towards peace and understanding, exchange culture and goods, but allow their people to live the way they want to.
Obama is a tyrant and is doing everything he can to stop a new administration from doing the peoples will instead of the NWO will.
With this response there is panic now with the NWO.
History won't treat Obama and NATO well being viewed as agressors.
Obama and the NWO/globalist people are trying to start war before Trump gets into office.
Trump should investigate who these people/troublemakers are and prosecute them.
The Shillarys are losers and can always be expected to lose just as Ohomo's America has lost bigtime over the past 8 years.
zh is owned my the nazi cia that owns the rest of the bs media.....ahahah............zh has pizzagate connections.....hooraa
Damn, at least think a little bit before the shit out of your mouth to let...
Your parrot's got loose - been pecking at your keyboard.
ok, mentally ill much? That is just plane trash talk... The article is based on facts and historical actions from both the Obama administration and Putin. Get a life!
The Russians are brutal to their enemies especially if you invade their homeland but they have been good to the USA starting with our revolution. You don't want to eff with the Russians even Trump has that much sense.
Just made Obama look like a total fool - not that he needs outside help! Putin knows the game changes in a major way in a few weeks. China - Russia - USA will be two against one so we had better wise up fast.
Now that Putin has tied Obama's panties in a knot what will Obama now do since time is running out?
Everyone knows how much of a egotist and narcissitic bitch Obama is - I'm sure he's going to go a step further now that he's been bruised and embarrassed.
Perhaps it's coming time for the motherfucker of all fake flags. Did you ever find those Cheneynukes?
I'm getting a real 'thirteen days in October' skin-crawl about all this.
America took the overdue laxative and took a huge obama. It will take several applications of the plunger to get this huge piece of scat to completely flush down the crapper.
Putin is a liar and a traitor.
Putin sells real and valuable Russian oil for Russia's enemy's illegal and fraudulent money (read Article 1, Section 10 of the United States Constitution), the US Dollar of which the Euro, the Yen and the Yuan are derivatives only -- in other words, the same thing. If Putin were not a traitor to Russia, he would ask for Roubles or gold instead of accepting US Dollars (and other currencies which are derivatives of the US Dollar, orDollars with different images on them) thereby AIDING and ABETTING the ENEMY of the Russian people, namely the Americans, by de facto financing the Americans' crimes against humanity throughout the world.
Putin is a traitor because he forces the Russian central bank to issue Roubles only if Russia increases its US Dollar reserves! Does the US Federal Reserve wait until it has Russian Roubles to print more Dollars? Of course not. Putin is an agent of American and European central banks, hence Putin is a traitor.
Putin is a traitor because he allows American, Israeli and NATO jets to bomb and kill his supposed allies, the Syrians, with impunity. Who needs enemies with a "friend" like Putin.
For the first time in a thousand years, an ambassador, a RUSSIAN ambassador, is killed in Turkey and what does Putin do? When NATO gives the coordinates of Russian hospitals to Muslim terrorists enabling them to hit and kill Russian officers and Russian doctors, what does he do? Nothing.
Putin is an errand boy for Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan, just like Obama, Merkel, Holland, Hillary, and Trump.
All traitors to their people and working for the bankers only.
Tell it to your Russian comrades, comrade.
Go under the bridge and beat in the corner troll.
I suspect Putin's a bit too subtle for you. Relax, it'll work out.