'Everybody hates Russia but loves Germany and Japan': Donald Trump reflects on World War II in talks with Macron and Putin; calls it 'a strange world'
US President Donald Trump took a reflective turn on Thursday, steering a conversation back in time to the days of World War II.
In remarks that blended history with surprise, Trump recounted recent conversations with French President
and Russian President Vladimir Putin—both of which circled back to one of history's greatest conflicts.
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"Macron is a good man," Trump began, before describing how the French leader told him, 'We are celebrating World War II and our victory.' Trump said he responded with a smirk: "Your victory?"—a remark that seemed to play down France's role in the Allied win, despite being one of the key members of the coalition.
He then shifted to Russia. Recalling a conversation with Putin, Trump said the Russian president emphasised the Soviet Union's immense sacrifice in the war.
"Russia fought with us in WWII and everybody hates them," Trump quoted Putin as saying, mentioning that the USSR lost around 51 million people during the conflict. "And Germany and Japan, they're fine — someday somebody will explain that," Trump continued. "But I like Germany and Japan too. Everybody hates Russia and they love Germany and Japan… It's a strange world."
Trump went on to express confusion and disappointment over what he sees as America's lack of commemoration for its role in the war. "We won World War II and World War I, right? We won them. And yet, we are the only country that doesn't celebrate. Everybody's celebrating and we should celebrate too," he said.
During World War II, the United States was a major force within the Allied powers, which included the UK, the Soviet Union (successor - modern day Russia), and France. Together, they defeated the Axis powers -- Germany, Italy, and Japan.
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