President ‘must see country is no ally of the US’

House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan says there is “no question” Russia interfered in the presidential election and continues to try undermine democracy in the US and around the world.

The Wisconsin Republican said the American intelligence community and the House intelligence committee agree that Russia interfered in the election.

Mr Ryan said Russia “remains hostile to our most basic values and ideals” and added: “The president must appreciate that Russia is not our ally.

“The United States must be focused on holding Russia accountable and putting an end to its vile attacks on democracy.”

His comments came after President Trump said

“Russia is hostile to our most basic values and ideals”

at his summit with Russian president Vladimir Putin that he sees no reason why Russia would interfere in the US election.

Meanwhile, Republican senator John McCain called President Trump’s press conference “one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory”. He said Mr Trump proved not only unable, “but unwilling to stand up to Putin”.

Federal authorities in the US meanwhile arrested a Russian woman who is accused of conspiring to infiltrate US political organisations, including a gun-rights group, at the direction of a senior Kremlin official.

Maria Butina was arrested on Sunday on a charge of conspiracy to act as an unregistered agent of the Russian government.

Court papers say Butina worked on behalf of an unnamed Russian official to influence politicians and develop relationships with political organisations between 2015 and 2017.

Prosecutors say the Russian official has since been sanctioned by the United States.