Obama's Russian Connection - Obama/Medvedev Off Mic Conversation in 2012

For all you people who are horrified by President Donald Trump's alleged Russian connection... remember this?

At a bilateral meeting in 2012 between President Barack Obama and outgoing Russian Prez Dmitry Medvedev, while Obama thought he was off mic, he had this conversation with Medvedev:

Obama: "This is my last election. After my election, I have more flexibility."
Medvedev: "I understand. I transmit this (inaudible) to Vladimir." (muffled thereafter)

Info taken off the AP YouTube channel:

STORYLINE:
US President Barack Obama told his Russian counterpart on Monday that he would have more flexibility after the November election to deal with the contentious issue of missile defence, a candid assessment of political reality that was picked up by a microphone without either leader apparently knowing.

Outgoing Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said he would pass on Obama's message to his successor, Vladimir Putin, according to an audio recording of comments the two leaders made during a meeting at the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul, South Korea.
Obama and Medvedev did not intend for their comments to be made public.

Once they were, the White House said Obama's words reflected the reality that domestic political concerns in the both the US and Russia this year would make it difficult to fully address their long-standing differences over missile defence.
Obama, should he win re-election, would not have to face voters again.
Tensions over missile defence have threatened to upend the overall thawing of relations between the US and Russia in recent years.

Both leaders acknowledged as much in their public statements to reporters following their meeting. Obama said there was "more work to do" to bridge their differences; Medvedev said each country had their own positions on missile defence, but there was still time to find a solution.

And here's the actual video.



No-one seemed to care about this, and they probably still don't, just further amplifies the breathtaking hypocrisy of the left.

Portrait Of Putin In Woman's Slip Gets Russian Gallery Owner In Trouble

Some satirical portraits of Russian high-ranking politicians has landed a St Petersburg art gallery (Museum of Authorities) in major trouble.  Owner Aleksandr Donskoi's latest exhibition was raided, 4 paintings were confiscated, and the gallery was subsequently shut down.

One of the portraits that was seized was this one:

That's supposedly Vladimir Putin in a slip fussing with the hair of a bra and panty-clad Dmitry Medvedev. Not a great likeness of either, but some were not amused.

Donskoi believes the raid was initiated by Vitaly Milonov, a local lawmaker who has actively backed a new law targeting homosexuals in Russia.

"Vitaly Milonov arrived with a group of police officers, FSB officials, and representatives of the Prosecutor-General's Office," he said. "They shut down the museum on the grounds that it displayed works that are blasphemous and extremist."

One of the seized paintings depicts Milonov himself -- who has described the images as "pornographic" -- against a backdrop of the gay-rights movement's rainbow flag.

The other two were of Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill with tattoos, and Yelena Mizulina who also supports the banning of homosexual propaganda.

The portrait artist Konstantin Altunin has asked France for political asylum after his wife informed him of a police van waiting for him at home.  Donskoi is also scared.

This type of offense- insulting officials- can net up to a year in jail.  Donskoi plans on appealing to the European Court of Human Rights re. his right to free speech (which still doesn't fully exist in that country- see Pussy Riot):

"I don't know where to file a complaint because all the power structures work together," he said. "The judicial defers to the executive, and so on. This was a sanctioned move. So I hope I can find a lawyer who will help me lodge an application in Strasbourg. This is the only court that would consider this case, which is riddled with violations."

More at RFE/RL

Russian Dissident Discusses Obama's "Flexibility" Comment- Video

The Daily Caller posted this video of Russian dissident and Vladimir Putin critic, Pavel Stroilov, discussing his take on Barack Obama's private chat with Dmitry Medvedev discussing missile defense while attending a summit in Korea this past March. That same chat that neither realized had been caught on audiotape when Obama told Dmitry to give him space, since he would have more "flexibility" once he was re-elected.

London-based Stroilov claims there are many who have been very disappointed" with Obama's foreign policy the past four years and is not thrilled with what another four might bring. He criticizes Obama for buckling to the worst dictators, and letting down all the democracies and allies of the U.S. and the West.

Regarding his interpretation of the hot mic incident, he says, speaking for Obama:

“This means, ‘I can’t do it now, because American voters do not want it. But I don’t care what American voters want, I care what my friend Vladimir wants. I will do it. Just give me some time to fool the American voters, to pretend I am tougher than I really am, and then we will fix it, don’t worry."

“I mean, I can’t read it in any other way. I am sorry if that sounds disrespectful towards your president, but that’s what it means in English.” 

American Crossroads presents: Operation Hot Mic Starring Obama and Medvedev

Remember back in March when Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's private conversation got caught on tape by a hot mic? In South Korea discussing missile defense (and other issues), the two presidents were waiting to speak at a press conference when Barack leaned in to Dmitry and said:

President Obama: On all these issues, but particularly missile defense, this, this can be solved but it’s important for him to give me space.

President Medvedev: Yeah, I understand. I understand your message about space. Space for you…

President Obama: This is my last election. After my election I have more flexibility.

President Medvedev: I understand. I will transmit this information to Vladimir.

Ironic isn't it? The U.S. was instrumental in helping Russia remove the shackles of Communism, and helping it on to the road of economic recovery. Russia, in turn helps our enemies: North Korea, Syria, Iran.

American Crossroads (PAC) has taken that little hot mic exchange and turned it into"
"Operation Hot Mic"
A little over the top, but fun.

Iranian Rappers Blast Syria's Bashar Al-Assad and Russia's Medvedev

In support of the ongoing massacre in Homs,  Iranian rappers blast Syria's tyrant Bashar Al-Assad and Russia's Medvedev. Translated by Memri.TV

I am linking to the video on Youtube because Google adsense might think it's too graphic.