The meeting sparked contradictory statements, an outcry and new developments in relations between Washington and Moscow. Here's a look at the meeting, what happened after – and some links to other political articles if you want to read further.
Trump, on Putin's side, questioned US intelligence on Russian electoral interference.
At a press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Trump would not say he believed that Russia was interfering with the 2016 presidential election. Published on Credit Image by Doug Mills / The New York Times
Before the press conference in Helsinki, Finland, the men spoke privately for about two hours with only performers present. Democrats and former officials have denounced this decision, pointing to the indictment of 12 Russian intelligence agents in the investigation of the special advisor on electoral interference.
"I see no reason" Russia would be behind such interference, Trump said, citing Putin's "strong and powerful" denial at their meeting. His words have sparked criticism from Democratic and Republican lawmakers, former government officials, and US intelligence officials.
ADDITIONAL READING
IN WASHINGTON
As intelligence officials stood by and lawmakers insisted on more information, Trump and his collaborators offered conflicting explanations for it. A day after President Trump's remarks alongside President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia led to harsh criticism, Mr Trump said that he accepted the conclusions of US intelligence agencies that Russia was interfering with terrorism. Presidential election of 2016. 19659017] July 17, 2018 Credit Image by Tom Brenner for the New York Times
But in the days that followed, the president and aides offered contradictory accounts of Trump's promises and performance at the private meeting, stories countered by the Kremlin's stories. The confusion has prompted some lawmakers, mainly Democrats, to call the president's interpreter to testify before Congress about the meeting.
On the Capitol, Republicans rushed Tuesday to respond to the damage caused by Trump's comments at the summit. to impose new sanctions and to affirm its support for alliances with Europe. But on Thursday, they blocked a series of measures – widely promoted by the Democrats – designed to publicly censor Mr. Trump during the meeting and isolate Republican leaders.
ADDITIONAL READING
THE INVITATION
The President intends to invite Putin to Washington, a move that seems to surprise his head of the Secret Service
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The White House rejects a proposal by Russian President Vladimir V. Putin that would have allowed US authorities to interrogate 12 Russians indicted in exchange for access to US citizens Credit Sergei Karpukhin / Reuters
million. Coats publicly defended this week the conclusion that intelligence officials had obtained before Mr. Trump took office: that Mr. Putin had personally ordered cyberattacks to influence the elections of 2016. Before the inauguration of Mr. Trump, intelligence agents showed him classified information indicating Mr Putin's involvement.
Further reading
OTHER NEW POLICIES
A secret recording of the President's discussions with his long-time lawyer; an accused Russian agent; the mid-term primary elections;
Prosecutors said that Maria Butina, a Russian accused of being a secret agent, was preparing to leave the United States when she was arrested Credit Agency France-Presse – Getty Images
Longtime President's attorney, Michael D. Cohen, secretly recorded a conversation with Mr. Trump in which they discussed payments to an older Playboy model who said that she had a liaison with Mr. Trump. The F.B.I. entered the registration, made two months before the election, during a raid this year on the office of Mr. Cohen.
The Department of the Interior has proposed the largest series of changes in the Endangered Species Act for decades, the law that has saved the eagle and the bald eagle. criticizing the president and his policies, won the primary Tuesday for general elections. But other Republican candidates are evaluating the merits of aligning or distancing themselves from Mr. Trump.
The Trump Administration announced Tuesday that it would end the requirement that some non-profit organizations disclose the names of major donors to the Internal Revenue Service. The change will affect thousands of unions, social clubs and political groups.
