washington u.s. president barack obama say donald trump embrace russian president vladimir putin unprecedented say trouble republicans support republican presidential candidate position russia mr trump continue flattery mr. putin way appear degree appear model many policies approach politics mr. putin unprecedented american politics obama say white house news conference italian prime minister matteo renzi say mr trump rarely surprise days obama say much concern see support candidate stance putin russia republican officials historically anti-russia historically republican politicians often take appear take hard line russia predecessor soviet union unite state cold war foe obama say russia behavior undermine international norms say suggestion unite state encroach russian interest wrong think russia large important country military second part solution world stage rather part problem obama say behavior undermine international norms international rule ways call obama say cite russian aggression ukraine action russia internationally condemn 2014 annexation crimea ukraine support pro-russian separatists eastern ukraine obama say trump embrace russian president 'unprecedented