Brussels FURY over Trump leaks: Alleged intel shared with Russia ‘surprising’
EUROPEAN Union officials have been left angered after Donald Trump chose to share top secret information with Russia instead of Brussels.
Trump seems to have snubbed the EU over the alleged leak
The US president is accused of disclosing classified information with Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov during a meeting at the Oval Office last week.
Mr Trump’s aides have insisted no leak took place - and yesterday Vladimir Putin claimed he had a transcript of the meeting which he would provide to the US government to prove the billionaire’s innocence.
But it seems the EU has been left in the dark over the information - sparking concern the President could be bypassing an American long-time ally and casting a shadow ahead of his visit to Brussels next week.
Donald Trump met Sergei Lavrov at the oval Office last week
Mr Trump’s aides have insisted no leak took place
The intelligence was said to have outlined US plans to expand laptop bars on passenger plans, after Israel leaked information after it discovered a secret ISIS plot to attack America.
However, the leak comes as EU commissioners demanded justification for the disruptive air safety moves, which would be extended to cover many flights to the US from Europe.
One European Union official told Politico communications with American officials about their plans were “weird” - adding specific information about the extension was almost “non-existent.”
It is somewhat surprising that intel was shared with Russia before being shared with ministers of allied countries
Another diplomat added: “It is somewhat surprising that intel was shared, on this issue, with Russian [Foreign Minister Sergey] Lavrov before being shared with ministers of allied countries.”
Last week, European Home Affairs Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos and Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc spoke with the US Homeland Security department in a conference call to discuss potential plans.
But the conversation only came about after the commissioners had pleaded with Washington to provide more information.
Putin responds to allegations Trump leaked to Russia
Donald Tusk was not contacted over the secret intel
Senior officials in Brussels have also confirmed neither Mr Trump or any of his advisers had contacted the European Council President Donald Tusk or European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to brief them on the supposed intelligence shared with Mr Lavrov following last week’s meeting.
The current US laptop ban already applies to passenger flights from some parts of the Middle East and North Africa.
But the possibility it could be extended to Europe is the subject of high-level talks with Washington - and the leak to Mr Lavrov has only served to accentuate the EU’s concerns Donald Trump is prioritising his relationship with Russia over Brussels.