Trump finally rejects Russian demand to interrogate US officials



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WASHINGTON | Donald Trump on Thursday rejected Putin's request to allow the Russian judiciary to interrogate several Americans, including an ex-ambbadador in Moscow, after heightened doubt and angered the politicians in Washington. [19659002"ThisisaproposalthatPresidentPutinhasmadeinallsinceritybutPresidentTrumpdoesnotagree"saidWhiteHousespokeswomanSarahSanders

At the controversial press conference of the two leaders on Monday in Helsinki, the Russian president proposed to allow Washington to interrogate, in Russia, the 12 Russian intelligence agents recently indicted in the United States for interference in the 2016 US presidential election.

But on the "condition" of "reciprocity": Moscow asked in return for an interrogation of US officials suspected by Russia of "illegal activities", notably in the case involving the Kremlin's critical British investor William Browder, sentenced in absentia by the Russian courts for tax evasion.

The American president then spoke of an "interesting idea" and an "incredible proposition". The White House's lack of refusal, which left room for doubt by saying Wednesday that Donald Trump was studying the issue, fueled Washington's already fierce controversy over the Republican president's attitude of showing of "weakness" with regard to an adversary of the United States

"Warning" of the Congress

Sign of a certain cacophony in the government, the State Department The American presidency said the Russian request was "absolutely absurd."

Finally, the US presidency said on Thursday that it is more likely that Vladimir Putin will let "the 12 identified Russians come to the United States to prove their innocence or guilt." 19659003] The case escalated when Russian justice said on Tuesday it wanted to interrogate several Americans, including former US ambbadador to Moscow (2012-2014) Michael McFaul, appointed by the former Democratic President Barack Obama.

Michael McFaul has urged the Trump administration on social media and in the media, and an intense mobilization has developed under the keyword #ProtectMcFaul.

Former secretaries of State Democrats John Kerry, Hillary Clinton and Madeleine Albright supported him, as did some elected Republicans, including Senator Marco Rubio.

"The administration must make clear, unequivocally, that it will never take a such idea into consideration, even in a million years. Period. It does not even deserve half a second of consultation. Dangerous, "tweeted John Kerry.

" Putin officials should not be allowed under any circumstances to come to the United States and "interrogate" the Americans on their list, "said Marco Rubio, calling the House- White to exclude "publicly."

To put pressure on Donald Trump, the Senate put to the vote on Thursday a resolution opposing any possible decision of the administration allowing the Russian authorities to question US officials . The vote after the announcement of the White House is unequivocal: 98 senators from all sides supported the text unanimously, with no vote against.

The Leader of the Democratic Opposition in the Senate, Chuck Schumer felt this was a "warning": "Congress will never allow such a thing."

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