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Russian Attack On U.S. Election: Trump Blames America First Again

May 17, 2020 /

HELSINKI, FINLAND — Russia had nothing to do with trying to influence the U.S. 2016 elections, its autocratic leader, Vladimir Putin, said at his summit Monday with Donald Trump, and the president again appeared to wilt against those assertions despite the fresh round of indictments filed against top Russian military officers for attacking the vote.

Earlier, Trump blamed “U.S. foolishness,” and not Russia’s military incursions, cyberattacks and dismal human rights record, for the tattered relationship between the two countries, with predictable agreement Monday from the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Trump’s performance was remarkable for his acceptance of statements made by Putin, a longtime documented liar and manipulator of targets in his own country and across the world.

The two leaders said at a news conference that Trump raised the issue of election attacks. Putin again denied his country was involved and rejected U.S. intelligence findings, The New York Times reported.

“I addressed directly with President Putin the issue of Russian interference in our elections,” Trump said. “I felt this was a matter best discussed in person. President Putin may very well want to address it, and very strongly, because he feels very strongly about it, and he has an interesting idea.”

Putin had said just minutes earlier that Trump “mentioned the so-called interference of Russia in the American elections.”

“I had to reiterate things I said several times: that the Russian state has never interfered, and is not going to interfere, in internal American affairs, including the election process,” said Putin.

Putin said the respective nations should collaborate on the war in Syria —the U.S. and Russia have supported opposing sides — and praised Trump’s handling of Kim Jong Un and North Korea.

“We are glad that the Korean Peninsula issue is starting to resolve,” said Putin. “To a great extent it was possible, thanks to the personal engagement of President Trump, who opted for dialogue instead of confrontation.”

Trumo said discussions would involve trade, military, missiles, nuclear weapons and China, including their “mutual friend” China’s Xi Jingping. The long-awaited summit began after Trump declared “the world wants to see us get along” and predicted improved future relations.

“We have not been getting along well for the last number of years,” Trump said as he and Putin sat down at the Presidential Palace. “But I think we will end up having an extraordinary relationship. … I really think the world wants to see us get along.”

At one point, Putin confirmed he wanted Trump to win the 2016 presidential election.

“Yes I did,” Putin responded to a question on the topic, adding that it was about restoring relations between the two powerful nations.

Putin said he and Trump have had regular phone talks and have met at international events but “the time has come to have a thorough discussion on various international problems and sensitive issues.” He added: “There are quite a few of them for us to pay attention to.”

The two leaders entered the Gothic Hall with serious expressions, moving quickly to two ornate wooden chairs set before American and Russian flags. While Trump sat upright, Putin seemed to lounge in his chair.

Trump deferred to Putin to make opening remarks, nodding along as his comments in Russian were translated. Trump predicted that the pair will have an “extraordinary relationship.”

Trump initiated a brief handshake with Putin, as the assembled press jostled to capture the moment.
Putin appeared to smirk as Trump ignored shouted questions about whether he would warn the Russian leader against meddling in the 2018 midterm elections.

Photo credit: Chris McGrath/Getty Images

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