Al Franken Quotes

I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Vladimir Putin, and I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Russia.

You should never make alliances with a decadent nation like France and a semi-barbarous nation like Russia

I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Putin. And I think I would have a very, very good relationship with Russia.

The more we can have peaceful trade both with Russia, with China, and with others, you know, there's a self interest in this for everyone.

If Putin likes Donald Trump, I consider that an asset, not a liability, because we have a horrible relationship with Russia.

Donald Trump is going to have to live in the real world in which Vladimir Putin is exactly who he presents himself to be, and Putin is extremely skilled. He's not going to make it very easy for the United States or Germany. And he's going to test Trump.

Russia and China are very natural partners. We are neighbors with an immense common border.

For the Kremlin, it is more feasible to preserve its great-power status in cooperation with the United States than in confrontation.

I believe a relationship with a country is simply bound to the interests of two countries and not by personal issues.

Russia is Germany's most important neighbor in the East, and it will remain so.

Of course the United States and Russia have different interests. Nevertheless, both are strategic partners.

President Obama hasn't been elected by the American people in order to be pleasant to Russia.

I do believe that both countries, China and Russia, that both of them are responsible countries.

If we find what we need [arms] among friendly nations and if they give us what we ask, they do so for money. We are not getting anything for free. So, if things become complicated with a certain country we will find other countries, regardless of whether they are Eastern or Western.

Anybody who says it is in America's interest to not have better relations with Russia doesn't know what they're talking about when it comes to geopolitics.

As our relationship with China grows and matures, tensions will naturally emerge.

The Chinese go around with lollipops in their pockets. They have aid. They have friendship deals. They build you a Prime Minister's office or President's office or Parliament House or Foreign Ministry. For them, trade is an extension of their foreign policy.

I'm not a big fan of Putin. I'm not a big fan of Russia.

Working with Russia, we worked with Iran. Are they our friends? You have to take each situation uniquely.

Putin is very - not the smartest guy in the world.

I have respect for leaders who defend the interests of their countries. Angela Merkel policies are positive for Germany, but they are unfortunately harmful for all other countries.

Donald Trump is an American presidential nominee who was describing Russia in terms that they haven't heard almost ever. And so there is a belief that Donald Trump would be a collaborative, willing and I think perhaps quite able partner.

I'm not going to say to Putin that he'll get more flexibility after the election. After the election he'll get more backbone.

He [Vladimir Putin] will not be able to push Donald Trump around the world. Believe me.

I never met Putin. This is not my best friend. But if the United States got along with Russia, wouldn't be so bad.