Ivanka Urges Germans to Remember They Have More in Common With US Than Russia

11:32 GMT, 17 February 2019

The US first daughter and White House aide went on a charm offensive in Germany, where she attended the Munich Security Conference and a number of events, including a dinner with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. In Europe, she once again took on the role of an advocate for her father, who is viewed critically by many in the EU for his policies.

Sputnik

Daughter of the US president and White House adviser Ivanka Trump has spoken out about her stance on US foreign policy and relations between Berlin and Washington, in particular, in an interview with prominent German outlet Bild. Given a question about many Germans trusting Russian President Vladimir Putin more than her father, she called on them not to allow “those with a political agenda” to divide the American and German peoples.

“I think Germans understand that they have far more in common with America than with Russia. We agree on individual freedom, the rule of law and the importance of equality of economic opportunity. We should not allow those with a political agenda to try to divide us”, she said.

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She also responded to critical reports in the German media of President Trump, saying “we recognize the critical importance of working with our partners to achieve global stability and are committed to that goal”.

“I am very proud of my father and what he’s accomplished as President of the United States. This Administration has implemented significant reforms to make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous. The United States economy is booming”, she said.

The interview was released ahead of Ivanka Trump’s visit to Germany, where she attended the Munich Security Conference, with one of the questions raised during a discussion at the forum being women’s economic empowerment as a “catalyst for global peace, national security and economic prosperity”, as she put it in a Twitter post.

Among other things, she took part in a joint dinner with high-profile speakers and guests, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, as well as at panels and meetings with Minister of the French Armed Forces Florence Parly, German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen and International Monetary Fund (IMF) head Christine Lagarde. However, her ambitious schedule has been met with a mixed reaction, especially the women’s empowerment talks, received a mixed response online.