White House Considers Citing Russian Deaths in Syria as Sign of U.S. Resolve
- Trump’s spokeswoman makes oblique reference to Syria battle
- More than 200 mercenaries may have died in Feb. 7 fight
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The Trump administration is considering citing the deaths of scores of Russian mercenaries in a Feb. 7 battle with U.S.-backed forces in Syria as evidence of the president’s tough stance toward the Kremlin, a person familiar with the matter said.
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders made an oblique reference to “an incident” on Tuesday, as she argued that President Donald Trump has been tougher on Russia than his predecessor Barack Obama. She was alluding to the Syria battle -- an episode that threatens to deepen tensions with Moscow.