Russia Bashes Trump as Syria Gas Attack Hits Hopes for Detente

Russia accused President Donald Trump of rushing to judgement after an apparent poison-gas attack in Syria prompted the harshest U.S. criticism of the Kremlin under the new administration, further denting hopes of a breakthrough in relations.

“We would welcome a more considered approach,” PresidentVladimir Putin’s spokesman,Dmitry Peskov, told reporters on a conference call Thursday. “This is a dangerous and heinous crime but it’s hasty to put labels on it.”

More from Bloomberg.com: Bannon Taken Off Trump National Security Council in Shake-Up

The U.S. blamed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for the attack in the northwestern province of Idlib that killed more than 70 people, and criticized Russia for backing Assad in pointing the finger at rebels opposed to his rule. Trump said the “heinous actions by the Assad regime” had changed his thinking on the civil war and went “beyond red lines.”

Read More (...)