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CHICAGO (FOX 32 NEWS) - President Donald Trump confirmed reports from Moscow on Tuesday that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin have talked twice since last Thursday
The revelation came as the president provided an update on the U.S. national security strategy.
Trump's imprint was clear enough on parts of the 55-page national security strategy the White House released.
Out: The Obama-era's treatment of climate change as a major threat. In: "Construction of a border wall" and "apprehension and swift removal of illegal aliens."
“We cannot secure our nation if we do not secure our borders,” Trump said
Other parts of the written strategy seemed at odds with a president angered by any reference to Russia's meddling in last year's U.S. election. The White House document referred to "Russian subversion and aggression," adding: "Russia uses information operations as part of its offensive cyber efforts to influence public opinion across the globe. Its influence campaigns blend covert intelligence operations and false online personas with state-funded media, third-party intermediaries, and paid social media users or 'trolls.'"
Trump mentioned none of that, speaking instead of Russian President Vladimir Putin as a partner.
“Yesterday, I received a call from President Putin of Russia, thanking our country for the intelligence that our CIA was able to provide them concerning a major terrorist attack planned in St. Petersburg where many people, perhaps in the thousands, could have been killed.”
He said America needs a new attitude.
“With this strategy, we are calling for a great reawakening of America, a resurgence of confidence and a rebirth of patriotism,” Trump said.
Critics said the president is offering the most limited and inward-looking national security strategy in decades. Trump called it "Realistic."