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| G7 summit at Trump resort will not cover climate crisis, says White House – live | G7 summit at Trump resort will not cover climate crisis, says White House – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Republican senator Lindsey Graham, who has been fiercely critical of Trump’s decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria, said he appreciated efforts by the vice president and the secretary of state to negotiate a ceasefire in the region. | |
| But he interestingly did not refer to the agreement as a ceasefire, merely an attempt at one. The Turkish foreign minister has come out saying that the two countries only agreed to a “pause” in operations in the region. | |
| Sounds like we may have made real progress regarding a cease-fire and hopefully a sustainable solution that will prevent the reemergence of ISIS and the abandonment of our ally, the Kurds. | |
| Turkey has legitimate national security concerns within Syria but they cannot be met by invasion and force of arms. | |
| Graham told reporters on Capitol Hill that he still planned to introduce the bipartisan bill that would enact sanctions against Turkey, which he crafted with Democratic senator Chris Van Hollen. | |
| Lindsey Graham calls the Pence-Pompeo Syria cease-fire `encouraging,' but says he's still introducing his Turkey sanctions bill. `We're ready to come and hit Turkey hard if they don't get out of Syria and reset the table. I appreciate what Pompeo and Pence have done.' | |
| Trump has arrived in Texas to attend the ribbon-cutting of a Louis Vuitton workshop and speak at a campaign rally, and the president is praising the “amazing” ceasefire in Syria just announced by the vice president. | Trump has arrived in Texas to attend the ribbon-cutting of a Louis Vuitton workshop and speak at a campaign rally, and the president is praising the “amazing” ceasefire in Syria just announced by the vice president. |
| Pres. Trump praises "amazing" ceasefire and thanks Pres. Erdogan."They couldn't get it without a little rough love, as I call it." https://t.co/lTeSbXVIGp pic.twitter.com/6g9BIKUKa7 | Pres. Trump praises "amazing" ceasefire and thanks Pres. Erdogan."They couldn't get it without a little rough love, as I call it." https://t.co/lTeSbXVIGp pic.twitter.com/6g9BIKUKa7 |
| But again, a number of experts on the region are arguing that US officials made major concessions to the Turkish president in their negotiations. | But again, a number of experts on the region are arguing that US officials made major concessions to the Turkish president in their negotiations. |
| On top of that, this ceasefire (which a Turkish official said is actually just a “pause”) is meant to address violence that started after Turkey launched a military operation in the region, which was made possible by Trump’s abrupt decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria. | On top of that, this ceasefire (which a Turkish official said is actually just a “pause”) is meant to address violence that started after Turkey launched a military operation in the region, which was made possible by Trump’s abrupt decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria. |
| The president is essentially declaring victory for making major concessions to a foreign leader in a violent situation created by his own foreign policy. | The president is essentially declaring victory for making major concessions to a foreign leader in a violent situation created by his own foreign policy. |
| Here’s a copy of the US’ official statement on the agreement reached with Turkey, handed out at today’s press conference with vice president Mike Pence. | Here’s a copy of the US’ official statement on the agreement reached with Turkey, handed out at today’s press conference with vice president Mike Pence. |
| The statement says that Turkish authorities will “pause” their operations in Syria to allow the withdrawal of the Kurdish YPG forces. The pause will last 120 hours and will be “halted upon completion of this withdrawal”. | The statement says that Turkish authorities will “pause” their operations in Syria to allow the withdrawal of the Kurdish YPG forces. The pause will last 120 hours and will be “halted upon completion of this withdrawal”. |
| The agreement also says the US has agreed not to pursue “further imposition of sanctions”. | The agreement also says the US has agreed not to pursue “further imposition of sanctions”. |
| Text of the U.S.-Turkey Joint Statement on Northeast Syria pic.twitter.com/Bs57szLeYZ | Text of the U.S.-Turkey Joint Statement on Northeast Syria pic.twitter.com/Bs57szLeYZ |
| Trump is taking a victory lap after his vice president, Mike Pence, announced that the US and Turkey had negotiated a ceasefire in Syria. | Trump is taking a victory lap after his vice president, Mike Pence, announced that the US and Turkey had negotiated a ceasefire in Syria. |
| This is a great day for civilization. I am proud of the United States for sticking by me in following a necessary, but somewhat unconventional, path. People have been trying to make this “Deal” for many years. Millions of lives will be saved. Congratulations to ALL! | This is a great day for civilization. I am proud of the United States for sticking by me in following a necessary, but somewhat unconventional, path. People have been trying to make this “Deal” for many years. Millions of lives will be saved. Congratulations to ALL! |
| However, Middle East experts are criticizing the deal, arguing that US officials acquiesced to the Turkish president’s demands and essentially negotiated their Kurdish allies’ surrender. | However, Middle East experts are criticizing the deal, arguing that US officials acquiesced to the Turkish president’s demands and essentially negotiated their Kurdish allies’ surrender. |
| The ceasefire deal "sounds like very good news for President Erdogan," veteran British peace negotiator Jonathan Powell tells me."What the Americans have actually done is facilitated the surrender of the allies, the Kurds.""It does sound a pretty one-sided agreement.” | The ceasefire deal "sounds like very good news for President Erdogan," veteran British peace negotiator Jonathan Powell tells me."What the Americans have actually done is facilitated the surrender of the allies, the Kurds.""It does sound a pretty one-sided agreement.” |
| From a senior resident at the Middle East Institute: | From a senior resident at the Middle East Institute: |
| #Pence & #Pompeo have repeatedly used "#YPG" & "#SDF" interchangeably.That detail is crucially important.But in short, the US just granted #Erodgan *everything* he's demanded all along, seemingly in exchange for nothing. pic.twitter.com/onYA5tgF0l | #Pence & #Pompeo have repeatedly used "#YPG" & "#SDF" interchangeably.That detail is crucially important.But in short, the US just granted #Erodgan *everything* he's demanded all along, seemingly in exchange for nothing. pic.twitter.com/onYA5tgF0l |
| Turkish foreign minister: Agreement is not a ceasefire | Turkish foreign minister: Agreement is not a ceasefire |
| Reports are coming out the Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has said that the agreement is not a ceasefire but a pause in operations. | Reports are coming out the Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has said that the agreement is not a ceasefire but a pause in operations. |
| Turkish FM Çavuşoğlu just now: "We will suspend the Peace Spring operation for 120 hours for the PKK/YPG to withdraw. This is not a ceasefire." | Turkish FM Çavuşoğlu just now: "We will suspend the Peace Spring operation for 120 hours for the PKK/YPG to withdraw. This is not a ceasefire." |
| The ceasefire will be 120 hours – five days. Pence seems confident that a permanent ceasefire will be in place. During the five days, Kurdish troops will withdraw from as Turkey creates a 20-mile “safe zone”. | The ceasefire will be 120 hours – five days. Pence seems confident that a permanent ceasefire will be in place. During the five days, Kurdish troops will withdraw from as Turkey creates a 20-mile “safe zone”. |
| Pence announces what he describes as an agreement with Turkey for a temporary (120-hour) "pause" in fighting in Syria, while US "facilitates" the withdrawal of mostly Kurdish forces from the area Turkey wants to control. If they do, Turkey will make pause permanent, he says. | Pence announces what he describes as an agreement with Turkey for a temporary (120-hour) "pause" in fighting in Syria, while US "facilitates" the withdrawal of mostly Kurdish forces from the area Turkey wants to control. If they do, Turkey will make pause permanent, he says. |
| Pence says that the US endorsed a “safe zone” as a buffer between the Kurds and Turkish troops. Pence says he got assurances from both sides that “they will be moving out”. | Pence says that the US endorsed a “safe zone” as a buffer between the Kurds and Turkish troops. Pence says he got assurances from both sides that “they will be moving out”. |
| Pence says YPG/SDF gave the US repeated assurances they will "be moving out" | Pence says YPG/SDF gave the US repeated assurances they will "be moving out" |
| Pence said because Turkey agreed to a ceasefire, the US agreed not to implement any sanctions. Once a permanent ceasefire is in place, economic sanctions will be removed. | Pence said because Turkey agreed to a ceasefire, the US agreed not to implement any sanctions. Once a permanent ceasefire is in place, economic sanctions will be removed. |
| Pence says US has agreed not to implement any more sanctions on Turkey during ceasefire and says once permanent ceasefire takes effect, the US will revoke economic punishments taken in response to Turkey's actions in Syria | Pence says US has agreed not to implement any more sanctions on Turkey during ceasefire and says once permanent ceasefire takes effect, the US will revoke economic punishments taken in response to Turkey's actions in Syria |
| Vice-president Mike Pence just announced a ceasefire in Syria, negotiated with Turkey. Turkey has agreed to stop fighting to allow Kurdish forces to withdraw from Turkey’s designated safe zone. | Vice-president Mike Pence just announced a ceasefire in Syria, negotiated with Turkey. Turkey has agreed to stop fighting to allow Kurdish forces to withdraw from Turkey’s designated safe zone. |
| MIKE PENCE: “Today the United States and Turkey have agreed to a ceasefire in Syria.”pic.twitter.com/aSajWNbVVN | MIKE PENCE: “Today the United States and Turkey have agreed to a ceasefire in Syria.”pic.twitter.com/aSajWNbVVN |
| Meanwhile, the press conference with vice president Mike Pence and the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is set to begin shortly. | Meanwhile, the press conference with vice president Mike Pence and the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is set to begin shortly. |
| Trump indicated the two leaders had reached some kind of decision on the situation in Syria and predicted “millions of lives” would be saved as a result. | Trump indicated the two leaders had reached some kind of decision on the situation in Syria and predicted “millions of lives” would be saved as a result. |
| Great news out of Turkey. News Conference shortly with @VP and @SecPompeo. Thank you to @RTErdogan. Millions of lives will be saved! | Great news out of Turkey. News Conference shortly with @VP and @SecPompeo. Thank you to @RTErdogan. Millions of lives will be saved! |
| Well, that was a whirlwind of a press briefing from Mick Mulvaney. Here are some of the key points that Trump’s acting chief of staff covered: | Well, that was a whirlwind of a press briefing from Mick Mulvaney. Here are some of the key points that Trump’s acting chief of staff covered: |
| The next G7 summit will be held at Trump’s resort near Miami. Mulvaney said the White House correctly predicted the selection would spark allegations of the president trying to profit off his office, but officials decided to go ahead with the decision anyway because Trump National Doral was the “perfect” site for the multi-nation summit. | The next G7 summit will be held at Trump’s resort near Miami. Mulvaney said the White House correctly predicted the selection would spark allegations of the president trying to profit off his office, but officials decided to go ahead with the decision anyway because Trump National Doral was the “perfect” site for the multi-nation summit. |
| Although the G7 will be held near Miami, which is already suffering the consequences of the higher temperatures and rising sea levels, Mulvaney said that the climate crisis would not be on the summit’s agenda. | Although the G7 will be held near Miami, which is already suffering the consequences of the higher temperatures and rising sea levels, Mulvaney said that the climate crisis would not be on the summit’s agenda. |
| Here’s the real kicker: after weeks of Trump claiming there was no quid pro quo involved in the delaying of military aid to Ukraine, Mulvaney confirmed that there was indeed a quid pro quo. However, he said the quid pro quo in question involved an investigation of a debunked conspiracy theory from the 2016 election and not a probe of Joe Biden. Mulvaney said this distinction made the request acceptable, but it is safe to assume that any ethics expert would take issue with that argument. | Here’s the real kicker: after weeks of Trump claiming there was no quid pro quo involved in the delaying of military aid to Ukraine, Mulvaney confirmed that there was indeed a quid pro quo. However, he said the quid pro quo in question involved an investigation of a debunked conspiracy theory from the 2016 election and not a probe of Joe Biden. Mulvaney said this distinction made the request acceptable, but it is safe to assume that any ethics expert would take issue with that argument. |
| Mulvaney said it should be taken as a given that political calculations would factor into foreign policy decisions, and he offered this advice to reporters: “Get over it.” | Mulvaney said it should be taken as a given that political calculations would factor into foreign policy decisions, and he offered this advice to reporters: “Get over it.” |
| There will certainly be reactions to the presser rolling in, so stay tuned to the blog. | There will certainly be reactions to the presser rolling in, so stay tuned to the blog. |
| Mulvaney has now concluded his press briefing, during which Trump’s acting chief of staff dismissed any notion that it was inappropriate to allow political calculations to impact foreign policy. | Mulvaney has now concluded his press briefing, during which Trump’s acting chief of staff dismissed any notion that it was inappropriate to allow political calculations to impact foreign policy. |
| Mulvaney said: “We do it all the time. Get over it.” | Mulvaney said: “We do it all the time. Get over it.” |
| Mulvaney concedes that Trump’s desire to investigate “DNC server” was part of the reason Ukraine aide was held upreporter: so it was a quid pro quoMulvaney: we do that all the time. get over it. politics is going to be involved in foreign policy elections do have consequences | Mulvaney concedes that Trump’s desire to investigate “DNC server” was part of the reason Ukraine aide was held upreporter: so it was a quid pro quoMulvaney: we do that all the time. get over it. politics is going to be involved in foreign policy elections do have consequences |
| Mulvaney is still speaking at the White House, but it’s worth taking a moment to recognize what Trump’s acting chief of staff just confirmed. | Mulvaney is still speaking at the White House, but it’s worth taking a moment to recognize what Trump’s acting chief of staff just confirmed. |
| Trump has insisted for weeks that there was no quid pro quo involved in the delaying of US military aid to Ukraine. | Trump has insisted for weeks that there was no quid pro quo involved in the delaying of US military aid to Ukraine. |
| However, Mulvaney is now essentially saying that there was a quid pro quo but that the quid pro quo in question involved an investigation of a conspiracy theory linked to the 2016 election, not a probe of Joe Biden. | However, Mulvaney is now essentially saying that there was a quid pro quo but that the quid pro quo in question involved an investigation of a conspiracy theory linked to the 2016 election, not a probe of Joe Biden. |
| White House admits the quid pro quo occurred, says it’s totally cool though. >> https://t.co/yZ1zG9rS0G | White House admits the quid pro quo occurred, says it’s totally cool though. >> https://t.co/yZ1zG9rS0G |
| Trump’s acting chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, said that the delay in distributing military aid to Ukraine was indeed connected to an investigation of the 2016 hacking of the Democratic National Committee. | Trump’s acting chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, said that the delay in distributing military aid to Ukraine was indeed connected to an investigation of the 2016 hacking of the Democratic National Committee. |
| Mulvaney on Ukraine: says the request for a look back to what happened in 2016 WAS part of the reason why Trump held up military aid to Ukraine. The president has previously denied that. Says “we do that all the time with foreign policy.” pic.twitter.com/Q83ZZHaqNu | Mulvaney on Ukraine: says the request for a look back to what happened in 2016 WAS part of the reason why Trump held up military aid to Ukraine. The president has previously denied that. Says “we do that all the time with foreign policy.” pic.twitter.com/Q83ZZHaqNu |
| This is only the latest in a long series of shifting explanations from the White House for why the money was held up. | This is only the latest in a long series of shifting explanations from the White House for why the money was held up. |
| Mulvaney is at the WH podium saying casually that the WH held up security money from Ukraine until Trump got assurances that the government investigate a conspiracy theory about the 2016 election and the DNC server. A conspiracy theory. | Mulvaney is at the WH podium saying casually that the WH held up security money from Ukraine until Trump got assurances that the government investigate a conspiracy theory about the 2016 election and the DNC server. A conspiracy theory. |
| But Mulvaney said there was nothing improper in the president’s communications with Ukraine because the delayed aid was not at all connected to a potential investigation of Joe Biden. | But Mulvaney said there was nothing improper in the president’s communications with Ukraine because the delayed aid was not at all connected to a potential investigation of Joe Biden. |
| However, the White House’s own memo on the president’s call with the Ukrainian president shows that Trump brought up a potential investigation of Biden and his son, despite lacking any evidence to back up his corruption claims against the pair. | However, the White House’s own memo on the president’s call with the Ukrainian president shows that Trump brought up a potential investigation of Biden and his son, despite lacking any evidence to back up his corruption claims against the pair. |
| The G7 summit will be hosted at one of Trump’s resorts near Miami, which is already seeing the consequences of the climate crisis in higher temperatures and rising sea levels. | The G7 summit will be hosted at one of Trump’s resorts near Miami, which is already seeing the consequences of the climate crisis in higher temperatures and rising sea levels. |
| But the president’s acting chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, said the climate crisis would not be on the agenda for the multi-nation summit. | But the president’s acting chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, said the climate crisis would not be on the agenda for the multi-nation summit. |
| "Climate change will not be on the agenda" at next year's G-7, Mulvaney says | "Climate change will not be on the agenda" at next year's G-7, Mulvaney says |
| Trump was criticized earlier this year for skipping a climate session at the G7 summit in France. | Trump was criticized earlier this year for skipping a climate session at the G7 summit in France. |
| Mulvaney brushed off a question from a reporter about how Trump could criticize Joe Biden for alleged self-dealing (with no evidence) when he is hosting a G7 summit at the president’s resort. | Mulvaney brushed off a question from a reporter about how Trump could criticize Joe Biden for alleged self-dealing (with no evidence) when he is hosting a G7 summit at the president’s resort. |
| Asked how the president can hit Joe Biden's family for profiting off his vice presidency when he's hosting the G7 at his property, Mick Mulvaney says with a chuckle: "He's going to do that extraordinarily well." | Asked how the president can hit Joe Biden's family for profiting off his vice presidency when he's hosting the G7 at his property, Mick Mulvaney says with a chuckle: "He's going to do that extraordinarily well." |
| The WH announces that the absolute best place in the United States of America to host the G-7 just happens to be owned by the president. Pretty incredible given their efforts to attack Biden, with no evidence, over the appearance of getting some kind of benefit from US policy. | The WH announces that the absolute best place in the United States of America to host the G-7 just happens to be owned by the president. Pretty incredible given their efforts to attack Biden, with no evidence, over the appearance of getting some kind of benefit from US policy. |
| Criticism of hosting the G7 summit at Trump’s Florida resort first surfaced earlier this year, when reports emerged that the property was being considered as a host site. | Criticism of hosting the G7 summit at Trump’s Florida resort first surfaced earlier this year, when reports emerged that the property was being considered as a host site. |
| Some noted that the club had previously settled a case with a guest who complained his room had beg bugs. | Some noted that the club had previously settled a case with a guest who complained his room had beg bugs. |
| When reports emerged in Aug that Doral golf club could host the G7, Trump said he was "not at all" concerned about ethical implications of using a diplomatic gathering to promote club run by his own company. He also denied it had bed bugs...@alex_mallinhttps://t.co/rKbpraMa0x | When reports emerged in Aug that Doral golf club could host the G7, Trump said he was "not at all" concerned about ethical implications of using a diplomatic gathering to promote club run by his own company. He also denied it had bed bugs...@alex_mallinhttps://t.co/rKbpraMa0x |
| Mulvaney defended the selection of Trump’s resort as the site of the next G7 summit, saying the Doral club was the best option for hosting the multi-nation event. | Mulvaney defended the selection of Trump’s resort as the site of the next G7 summit, saying the Doral club was the best option for hosting the multi-nation event. |
| The acting White House chief of staff said: “It’s almost like they built this facility to host that type of event.” | The acting White House chief of staff said: “It’s almost like they built this facility to host that type of event.” |
| Mulvaney insisted that the president would not profit off the event and has not financially benefited from his office, echoing an oft-repeated claim from Trump himself. | Mulvaney insisted that the president would not profit off the event and has not financially benefited from his office, echoing an oft-repeated claim from Trump himself. |
| But Mulvaney acknowledged that he was initially “skeptical” of holding the summit at Trump National Doral because of the inevitable political fallout. | But Mulvaney acknowledged that he was initially “skeptical” of holding the summit at Trump National Doral because of the inevitable political fallout. |