let that stand

[tkacka15]

“You should tell the Cambodians that we will be friends with them,” Kissinger went on. “They are murderous thugs [Khmer Rouge], but we won’t let that stand in the way.” (From The Guardian.)

What does the clause "we won't let that stand in the way" mean in the above context?

Thank you.

 

[Amigos4]

“You should tell the Cambodians that we will be friends with them,” Kissinger went on. “They are murderous thugs [Khmer Rouge], but we won’t let that fact stop us from being their friend.