Remarks by President Trump at Lunch with Members of the United Nations Security Council - whitehouse.gov

Issued on: January 29, 2018
State Dining Room

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, thank you very much everyone.  I’m honored to be joined by Secretary Tillerson, Ambassador Haley, General Kelly, and General McMaster to host a very distinguished group of United Nations Security Council ambassadors from all around the world.

Today, we will discuss our cooperation on a range of security challenges, including the denuking of North Korea, very importantly; countering Iran’s destabilization activities in the Middle East; ending the Syrian conflict; and confronting terrorism.

The success of the United Nations depends on the independent strength of its members.  And these are very strong members; some of them are new to the Council.

We’ll also discuss what more we can do to defeat the Taliban.  I don’t see any talking taking place.  I don’t think we’re prepared to talk right now.  It’s a whole different fight over there.  They’re killing people left and right.  Innocent people are being killed left and right.  Bombing in the middle of children, in the middle of families — bombing, killing all over Afghanistan.

So we don’t want to talk with the Taliban.  There may be a time, but it’s going to be a long time.  We’re all out, and that’s taking place right now, and it’s a whole new front.  And it’s a whole new set of principles that we’re being governed by. - More

Remarks by President Trump at Lunch with Members of the United Nations Security Council