“If you get along and if Russia is really helping us, why would anybody have sanctions if somebody’s doing some really great things?” Trump told the Journal, referring to the possibility of lifting sanctions against Russia if they proved helpful in fighting terrorism and in other areas.
Trump told the publication he would keep sanctions put in place in December—imposed in response to Russian cyber attacks and interference in the 2016 election—“at least for a period of time” but didn’t specify otherwise, according to the report.
In a press conference Wednesday, Trump said it would be an “ asset ” if Putin liked him.
“I understand that they would like to meet, and that’s absolutely fine with me,” he told the Journal of the Russian leader.
