Kirby on Putin-Xi hug: ‘That’s nice for them’

News Snapshot:

White House national security communications adviser John Kirby weighed in on footage of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping embracing Friday in Beijing. “That’s nice for them,” Kirby told reporters when asked for a reaction to the hug between the two leaders. Kirby said it’s “no surprise” that Xi and Putin “continue to try to develop this burgeoning relationship,” but he noted the pair haven’t worked together long and that officials in both governments “aren’t necessarily all that trustful” of each other. “What they have in common is a desire to challenge the international rules-based order, challenge...