Kremlin laments US ‘unpredictability’ under Trump

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SINGAPORE, Nov 14, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – The Kremlin hit out Wednesday at the
“unpredictability” of the United States under the Trump administration,
saying it was causing “deep global concern”.

“The fact that America has become unpredictable lately is no secret to
anyone,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Dozhd TV during a visit by
President Vladimir Putin to a regional summit in Singapore.

“Such unpredictability from the largest country, the most powerful economy
in the world, is the subject of deep global concern,” he added.

Peskov’s comments come two weeks ahead of a slated face-to-face between
President Donald Trump and Putin at a G20 summit in Argentina.

Relations between the two countries have hit new lows with American
officials planning to roll out fresh sanctions against Moscow in response to
the botched poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in Britain.

Western governments have accused Russia of being behind the plot which saw
Skripal and his daughter poisoned with a nerve agent. Two British citizens
were also poisoned, one of whom died.

Moscow has denied being behind the brazen hit and has condemned efforts to
sanction it over the incident.

“We do not recognise these unilateral restrictions… and we consider them
illegitimate,” Peskov said of the threatened sanctions, adding they would
only “further complicate” Russia-US relations.

World leaders are currently meeting in Singapore, which is hosting the
annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit.

Trump is not at the gathering and has sent Vice President Mike Pence
instead.

Peskov said “no separate meeting” was currently planned between Putin and
Pence. But he added that there was no need for a face-to-face given Trump and
Putin will soon meet in Buenos Aires.