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Destabilization
Russia has driven the United States further from lifting those sanctions through its spy games.

The Russians likely hacked into Democratic computers during the 2016 election in a targeted campaign that has undermined Trump’s ability to subsequently seek cordial relations with Moscow.

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Hacking is done by all major powers, but interfering in elections and leaking documents to WikiLeaks set off new alarms in the West.

Trump denounced “propaganda” and cyber crimes at his Warsaw speech, and he is likely to bring up interference in Western elections. It’s a sign Trump is ready to take on Russian election meddling in a meaningful way to further silence his political adversaries at home.

Trump Defiant
Trump’s critics have long claimed the president is predisposed to be soft on Russia, with many Democrats even suggesting he is a puppet of the Russian government.

But after he left Warsaw for Germany, Trump declared on social media that Western values remain his priority.

“The West will NEVER, EVER BE BROKEN,” Trump said via Facebook on Thursday afternoon. “Our values will PREVAIL. Our people will THRIVE. And our civilization will TRIUMPH.”

It’s rhetoric that is anathema to Putin. It’s a sign that Putin may have to make hard concessions to get U.S. sanctions lifted, and to gain new favor with Trump.[lz_pagination]