On Russia

Said Russian help for Syria was 'fine' as Russian troops moved into areas U.S. forces had left

“Syria may have some help with Russia, and that's fine. It's a lot of sand. They've got a lot of sand over there. So there's a lot of sand that they can play with.”

Said: October 16, 2019, Oval Office, remarks with President Sergio Mattarella of Italy
Subject: Northern Syria withdrawal
Type: NATO and allies
Topic: Foreign policy
Era: First term

What happened

After Trump ordered U.S. forces out of northeastern Syria in October 2019, Turkey launched an offensive against Kurdish fighters who had been allied with the United States, and the Kurdish administration struck a deal with the Russia-backed Syrian government. By October 15 U.S. troops had completed their pullout from Manbij, Russia said its forces were patrolling near the town, and video from Russian journalists showed what appeared to be an abandoned U.S. outpost. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft said Washington was "deeply concerned" about the Russian patrols. About 1,000 U.S. troops were being withdrawn from northern Syria. Trump announced sanctions on Turkey on October 14. The House voted 354-60 on October 16 for a resolution opposing the withdrawal.

Sources

Remarks Prior to a Meeting With President Sergio Mattarella of Italy and an Exchange With Reporters The American Presidency Project, Oct 16, 2019
Russian troops rush to fill void left by U.S. troops in northern Syria CBS News (Associated Press), Oct 15, 2019
Russian and Syrian troops fill void as US pulls troops out of Syria Air Force Times, Oct 15, 2019
House overwhelmingly votes bipartisan condemnation of Trump withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria NBC News (Associated Press), Oct 16, 2019