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| Trump-Putin meeting reactions: 'Russia is not our ally', says Paul Ryan – as it happened | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Donald Trump has left Finland for the US, bringing an end to a whirlwind day. | Donald Trump has left Finland for the US, bringing an end to a whirlwind day. |
| Donald Trump was condemned as “treasonous” for siding with the Kremlin in a press conference that included discussions about election meddling, oil pipelines, Syria, Crimea and nuclear power. | Donald Trump was condemned as “treasonous” for siding with the Kremlin in a press conference that included discussions about election meddling, oil pipelines, Syria, Crimea and nuclear power. |
| The press conference followed a two hour one-on-one meeting between the two presidents and a working lunch with their aides. | The press conference followed a two hour one-on-one meeting between the two presidents and a working lunch with their aides. |
| In the press conference, Trump did not criticize Putin or the cyber-attacks that the US intelligence community says he coordinated to help Trump’s 2016 election campaign. “I have great confidence in my intelligence people, but I will tell you that President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today,” Trump said. | In the press conference, Trump did not criticize Putin or the cyber-attacks that the US intelligence community says he coordinated to help Trump’s 2016 election campaign. “I have great confidence in my intelligence people, but I will tell you that President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today,” Trump said. |
| Putin denied meddling and said Russia “doesn’t plan” to interfere in US domestic politics. | Putin denied meddling and said Russia “doesn’t plan” to interfere in US domestic politics. |
| Putin presented Trump with a football from the World Cup. Trump said he would give it to his son, Baron. Republican senator Lindsay Graham, however, warned this could be a bad idea. “I’d check the soccer ball for listening devices and never allow it in the White House,” Putin said. | Putin presented Trump with a football from the World Cup. Trump said he would give it to his son, Baron. Republican senator Lindsay Graham, however, warned this could be a bad idea. “I’d check the soccer ball for listening devices and never allow it in the White House,” Putin said. |
| After the press conference, Putin and Trump spoke to Fox News hosts. Putin’s interview will air some time today, but there is not yet a confirmed time. And Trump’s two interviews will air at 9pm ET tonight and 8pm ET tomorrow. | After the press conference, Putin and Trump spoke to Fox News hosts. Putin’s interview will air some time today, but there is not yet a confirmed time. And Trump’s two interviews will air at 9pm ET tonight and 8pm ET tomorrow. |
| The director of National Intelligence under Donald Trump, Dan Coats, released a statement in response to Trump’s summit with Putin today. Trump said today he has confidence in Russia and the US intelligence community. | The director of National Intelligence under Donald Trump, Dan Coats, released a statement in response to Trump’s summit with Putin today. Trump said today he has confidence in Russia and the US intelligence community. |
| “All I can do is ask the question - my people came to me, Dan Coats came to me and some others, they said they think it’s Russia,” Trump said. “I have President Putin he just said it’s not Russia. I will say this, I don’t see any reason why it would be but I really want to see the server but, I have confidence in both parties.” | “All I can do is ask the question - my people came to me, Dan Coats came to me and some others, they said they think it’s Russia,” Trump said. “I have President Putin he just said it’s not Russia. I will say this, I don’t see any reason why it would be but I really want to see the server but, I have confidence in both parties.” |
| “We have been clear in our assessments of Russian meddling in the 2016 election and their ongoing, pervasive efforts to undermine our democracy, and we will continue to provide unvarnished and objective intelligence in support of our national security,” Coats said. | “We have been clear in our assessments of Russian meddling in the 2016 election and their ongoing, pervasive efforts to undermine our democracy, and we will continue to provide unvarnished and objective intelligence in support of our national security,” Coats said. |
| STATEMENT FROM DAN COATS: "The role of the Intelligence Community is to provide the best information and fact-based assessments possible for the President and policymakers. We have been clear in our assessments of Russian meddling in the 2016 election..." pic.twitter.com/X1DbEBVEMU | STATEMENT FROM DAN COATS: "The role of the Intelligence Community is to provide the best information and fact-based assessments possible for the President and policymakers. We have been clear in our assessments of Russian meddling in the 2016 election..." pic.twitter.com/X1DbEBVEMU |
| Guardian foreign correspondent Luke Harding, who has reported extensively from Russia, analyzed the press conference, which he said is “one of the most astonishing ever.” | Guardian foreign correspondent Luke Harding, who has reported extensively from Russia, analyzed the press conference, which he said is “one of the most astonishing ever.” |
| One of the big questions pre-summit was whether Trump would call for the extradition to the US of the 12 Russian spies indicted by Mueller. He didn’t. When the subject came up in the question and answer session Putin sought to throw the accusation back. He said he would investigate the report and even offered to “cooperate”. The Kremlin, he said, would allow Mueller’s team to visit Moscow and to question suspects. In return, however, it wanted access to Bill Browder, a US-born British financier who is a Kremlin bogeyman. Putin was well aware that Mueller’s investigators won’t be visiting Russian anytime soon. He extended a similar offer in 2006 to Scotland Yard following the radioactive murder of Alexander Litvinenko using a cup of tea. The detectives who flew to Moscow found themselves in a PR pantomime, with their efforts to get evidence thwarted by the state. | One of the big questions pre-summit was whether Trump would call for the extradition to the US of the 12 Russian spies indicted by Mueller. He didn’t. When the subject came up in the question and answer session Putin sought to throw the accusation back. He said he would investigate the report and even offered to “cooperate”. The Kremlin, he said, would allow Mueller’s team to visit Moscow and to question suspects. In return, however, it wanted access to Bill Browder, a US-born British financier who is a Kremlin bogeyman. Putin was well aware that Mueller’s investigators won’t be visiting Russian anytime soon. He extended a similar offer in 2006 to Scotland Yard following the radioactive murder of Alexander Litvinenko using a cup of tea. The detectives who flew to Moscow found themselves in a PR pantomime, with their efforts to get evidence thwarted by the state. |
| House speaker Paul Ryan, a Republican, said in a statement that the US must be “focused on holding Russia accountable.” Ryan said: | House speaker Paul Ryan, a Republican, said in a statement that the US must be “focused on holding Russia accountable.” Ryan said: |
| There is no question that Russia interfered in our election and continues attempts to undermine democracy here and around the world. That is not just the finding of the American intelligence community but also the House Committee on Intelligence. The president must appreciate that Russia is not our ally. There is no moral equivalence between the United States and Russia, which remains hostile to our most basic values and ideals. The United States must be focused on holding Russia accountable and putting an end to its vile attacks on democracy. | There is no question that Russia interfered in our election and continues attempts to undermine democracy here and around the world. That is not just the finding of the American intelligence community but also the House Committee on Intelligence. The president must appreciate that Russia is not our ally. There is no moral equivalence between the United States and Russia, which remains hostile to our most basic values and ideals. The United States must be focused on holding Russia accountable and putting an end to its vile attacks on democracy. |
| Seconds before the press conference began, a man in the audience, Sam Husseini, was forcibly removed from the hall. More details are emerging about Husseini and the circumstances surrounding his removal. | Seconds before the press conference began, a man in the audience, Sam Husseini, was forcibly removed from the hall. More details are emerging about Husseini and the circumstances surrounding his removal. |
| The Nation editor and publisher, Katrina vanden Heuvel, confirmed Husseini was the man removed from the conference and said he received press accreditation from the news magazine to cover the summit. | The Nation editor and publisher, Katrina vanden Heuvel, confirmed Husseini was the man removed from the conference and said he received press accreditation from the news magazine to cover the summit. |
| “As Trump administration consistently denigrates media, we’re deeply troubled by reports that he was forcibly removed from press conference,” vanden Heuvel said on Twitter. | “As Trump administration consistently denigrates media, we’re deeply troubled by reports that he was forcibly removed from press conference,” vanden Heuvel said on Twitter. |
| Husseini is a communications director of the Institute for Public Accuracy, which seeks to expand the reach of progressive organizations in the media. | Husseini is a communications director of the Institute for Public Accuracy, which seeks to expand the reach of progressive organizations in the media. |
| He was temporarily suspended from the National Press Club in 2011 after questioning the Saudi ambassador. | He was temporarily suspended from the National Press Club in 2011 after questioning the Saudi ambassador. |
| More reaction from the US: | More reaction from the US: |
| Abby Huntsman, Fox News host and daughter of US ambassador to Russia | Abby Huntsman, Fox News host and daughter of US ambassador to Russia |
| No negotiation is worth throwing your own people and country under the bus. | No negotiation is worth throwing your own people and country under the bus. |
| Nancy Pelosi, house minority leader: ‘embarrassing’ | Nancy Pelosi, house minority leader: ‘embarrassing’ |
| Just several days ago, 12 Russians were indicted for attacking our democracy. Today, America's so-called leader embarrassingly failed to stand up to the person who spearheaded the attack. Seriously, what does Putin have on Trump that's he's so afraid? | Just several days ago, 12 Russians were indicted for attacking our democracy. Today, America's so-called leader embarrassingly failed to stand up to the person who spearheaded the attack. Seriously, what does Putin have on Trump that's he's so afraid? |
| David Axelrod, Democratic strategist: ‘horrifying’ | David Axelrod, Democratic strategist: ‘horrifying’ |
| Horrifying that @POTUS ends summits with brutal despots who menace our country with a warm embrace, and seemingly ends every interaction with our western allies in bitter discord. | Horrifying that @POTUS ends summits with brutal despots who menace our country with a warm embrace, and seemingly ends every interaction with our western allies in bitter discord. |
| Mike Murphy, Republican strategist: ‘weak’ | Mike Murphy, Republican strategist: ‘weak’ |
| Just saw the most depressing, disgusting, toadying, weak, moronic, lie-stuffed, and damn near traitorous public hour in the long history of the American Presidency. A dark day. 1/2 | Just saw the most depressing, disgusting, toadying, weak, moronic, lie-stuffed, and damn near traitorous public hour in the long history of the American Presidency. A dark day. 1/2 |
| Trump is on his way to the airport, set to fly back to Washington DC. | Trump is on his way to the airport, set to fly back to Washington DC. |
| But first, he spoke with Fox News hosts Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson, according to the White House pool. | But first, he spoke with Fox News hosts Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson, according to the White House pool. |
| Fox News is also set to air an interview with Putin later today. | Fox News is also set to air an interview with Putin later today. |
| Pres Trump departing Presidential Palace summit site in Helsinki. Heading for airport and flight home. pic.twitter.com/UBkuaYrtMK | Pres Trump departing Presidential Palace summit site in Helsinki. Heading for airport and flight home. pic.twitter.com/UBkuaYrtMK |
| A brief recap of the press conference, which followed a working lunch and one-on-one meeting between Trump and Putin: | A brief recap of the press conference, which followed a working lunch and one-on-one meeting between Trump and Putin: |
| Putin said the two outlined the “first steps for improving this relationship and to restore an acceptable level of trust”. | Putin said the two outlined the “first steps for improving this relationship and to restore an acceptable level of trust”. |
| Trump said the US relationship with Russia had “never been worse” than it was “until four hours ago,” just before the two spoke. | Trump said the US relationship with Russia had “never been worse” than it was “until four hours ago,” just before the two spoke. |
| Russian interference in US election | Russian interference in US election |
| Trump and Putin agreed there was “no collusion” between his campaign and Russia in the 2016 election. | Trump and Putin agreed there was “no collusion” between his campaign and Russia in the 2016 election. |
| Trump rejected an opportunity to publicly condemn Putin for Russia’s attempts to meddle in the election. | Trump rejected an opportunity to publicly condemn Putin for Russia’s attempts to meddle in the election. |
| Putin did say he supported Trump in the election. “I wanted Trump to win because he spoke about normalizing Russian relations,” Putin said. | Putin did say he supported Trump in the election. “I wanted Trump to win because he spoke about normalizing Russian relations,” Putin said. |
| Putin said the US president introduced the topic of Russian election meddling during their meeting. Putin reiterated that Russia has not and “doesn’t plan” to interfere in US domestic politics. | Putin said the US president introduced the topic of Russian election meddling during their meeting. Putin reiterated that Russia has not and “doesn’t plan” to interfere in US domestic politics. |
| Trump said Putin “has an interesting idea” about the issue of election meddling, but did not elaborate. | Trump said Putin “has an interesting idea” about the issue of election meddling, but did not elaborate. |
| Trump repeatedly defended his win in the 2016 election, attacking people who raised questions about Russia’s role. | Trump repeatedly defended his win in the 2016 election, attacking people who raised questions about Russia’s role. |
| Putin did not deny that Russia has compromising information on Trump. Trump said: “If they had it, it would have been out long ago.” | Putin did not deny that Russia has compromising information on Trump. Trump said: “If they had it, it would have been out long ago.” |
| Syria | Syria |
| Trump says the two countries “could save hundreds of thousands of lives” in the country. | Trump says the two countries “could save hundreds of thousands of lives” in the country. |
| Putin says a major concern there was how many refugees have been displaced from their home country. | Putin says a major concern there was how many refugees have been displaced from their home country. |
| Business | Business |
| Putin said the US and Russia will put together a “working group” of Russia and American businessmen. | Putin said the US and Russia will put together a “working group” of Russia and American businessmen. |
| Trump said Putin is a “good competitor,” in response to a question about Germany’s plans to build the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. | Trump said Putin is a “good competitor,” in response to a question about Germany’s plans to build the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. |
| The US Senator from South Carolina has a warning about the football Putin gifted to Trump. | The US Senator from South Carolina has a warning about the football Putin gifted to Trump. |
| Finally, if it were me, I’d check the soccer ball for listening devices and never allow it in the White House. | Finally, if it were me, I’d check the soccer ball for listening devices and never allow it in the White House. |
| Graham also said Trump missed an opportunity to hold Russia accountable for election meddling. “This answer by President Trump will be seen by Russia as a sign of weakness and create far more problems than it solves,” Graham said. | Graham also said Trump missed an opportunity to hold Russia accountable for election meddling. “This answer by President Trump will be seen by Russia as a sign of weakness and create far more problems than it solves,” Graham said. |
| We’ll post highlights from that extraordinary press conference momentarily. Meanwhile, some early reaction from the US: | We’ll post highlights from that extraordinary press conference momentarily. Meanwhile, some early reaction from the US: |
| Ari Fleischer, a White House press secretary under George W Bush: ‘naive’ | Ari Fleischer, a White House press secretary under George W Bush: ‘naive’ |
| I continue to believe there was no collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. But when Trump so easily and naively accepts Putin’s line about not being involved, I can understand why Ds think Putin must have the goods on him. | I continue to believe there was no collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. But when Trump so easily and naively accepts Putin’s line about not being involved, I can understand why Ds think Putin must have the goods on him. |
| John Brennan, CIA director under Obama: ‘treasonous’ | John Brennan, CIA director under Obama: ‘treasonous’ |
| Donald Trump’s press conference performance in Helsinki rises to & exceeds the threshold of “high crimes & misdemeanors.” It was nothing short of treasonous. Not only were Trump’s comments imbecilic, he is wholly in the pocket of Putin. Republican Patriots: Where are you??? | Donald Trump’s press conference performance in Helsinki rises to & exceeds the threshold of “high crimes & misdemeanors.” It was nothing short of treasonous. Not only were Trump’s comments imbecilic, he is wholly in the pocket of Putin. Republican Patriots: Where are you??? |
| Justin Amash, a Republican representative for Michigan: ‘not right’ | Justin Amash, a Republican representative for Michigan: ‘not right’ |
| A person can be in favor of improving relations with Russia, in favor of meeting with Putin, and still think something is not right here. | A person can be in favor of improving relations with Russia, in favor of meeting with Putin, and still think something is not right here. |
| CNN journalist Anderson Cooper: ‘disgraceful’ | CNN journalist Anderson Cooper: ‘disgraceful’ |
| Anderson Cooper calls that press conference one of the most "disgraceful performances by an American president" ever. | Anderson Cooper calls that press conference one of the most "disgraceful performances by an American president" ever. |