We didn’t interfere in US vote – Putin
TRUMP UPBEAT AFTER SUMMIT
RUSSIAN president Vladimir Putin has denied his country interfered in the 2016 US elections.
Mr Putin said the “so-called Russian interference” in the election was brought up by US President Donald Trump during their summit in Helsinki.
Speaking at a joint news conference alongside his US counterpart, Mr Putin said: “I had to repeat that the Russian state never interfered, and does not plan to interfere in internal American electoral process.”
In general, the Russian leader said the talks with Mr Trump took place in an “open and businesslike atmosphere” and he characterised them as “successful and useful”.
Mr Trump told the press conference that the United States and Russia must find ways to “co-operate in pursuit of shared interests”.
The US leader said a productive dialogue between America and Russia “is good for the world”.
Mr Trump accepted relations between them have never been worse. However, he added that he thinks “that changed as of about four hours ago”.
Meanwhile House Speaker Paul Ryan has said there is “no question” that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election and continues to try undermine democracy in the United States and around the world.
The Wisconsin Republican said: “The president must appreciate that Russia is not our ally.”