Putin scoffs at collusion allegations

Russian President Vladimir Putin has scoffed at allegations of collusion between US President Donald Trump’s campaign and Russia, saying the reports had been “invented”.

He also mocked his most visible critic, Alexei Navalny, who is barred from challenging Putin in the March presidential vote due to an embezzlement conviction, saying those like him want to plunge Russia into a quagmire. He vowed not to let that happen. Speaking at his annual marathon news conference, Putin reaffirmed his firm denial of meddling in the 2016 US presidential election.