US president Donald Trump sided with Russian President Vladimir Putin over US intelligence services who claimed that Russia had meddled in the 2016 US presidential elections. This happened during a summit held on 16th July 2018, Monday in Helsink, Finland. Trump also went ahead and shared a message on his twitter account about US relationship with Russia.
Our relationship with Russia has NEVER been worse thanks to many years of U.S. foolishness and stupidity and now, the Rigged Witch Hunt!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 16, 2018
Trump’s statement fueled mixed reactions from both America and Russia. Experts criticized Trump’s decision saying that Trump’s focus appeared to be based on his own interest rather than the country’s. Fomer Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) chief John Brennan 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.” On the other hand, the Russians rather referred to the summit as being successful. “The summit was yet another small miracle created by Trump,” said columnist Edward Lozansky.
Trump’s statement fueled mixed reactions from both America and Russia. Experts criticized Trump’s decision saying that Trump’s focus appeared to be based on his own interest rather than the country’s. Fomer CIA chief John Brennan 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.” On the other hand, the Russians rather referred to the summit as being successful. “The summit was yet another small miracle created by Trump,” said columnist Edward Lozansky.
Trump defended himself saying he has “great confidence” in US intelligence community but claimed that Putin was “extremely strong and powerful in his denial” that Russia meddled in 2016 presidential election.
As I said today and many times before, “I have GREAT confidence in MY intelligence people.” However, I also recognize that in order to build a brighter future, we cannot exclusively focus on the past – as the world’s two largest nuclear powers, we must get along! #HELSINKI2018
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 16, 2018
However the Us president later changed his statement saying he “accepts US intelligence agencies’ conclusion that Russia interfered in the 2016 election.” He said he had misspoken on Monday and had meant to say he saw no reason why it was not Russia that meddled.