Putin says allegations of Russian interference in US election are ‘lies’

Vladimir Putin said allegations that Russia interfered in the latest US elections are “lies” used for "domestic American politics. Meanwhile, the Russian president’s adviser reportedly extended an invitation to meet with US President Donald Trump.

When asked if Russia interfered with the 2016 US presidential election, Putin said, "Read my lips: No.” “All those things are fictional, illusory and provocations, lies,” he stated in a CNBC-moderated panel. The Russian leader added that everything is utilised for domestic American political agendas.

Previously, FBI Director James Comey said the FBI was investigating Russian interference, which include a supposed communication between Trump’s associates and Russian officials. The president tweeted last month that any suggestion claiming his associates coordinated efforts with Russian officials was "fake news.”

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence release a report on January, claiming that Russia intrude in the US elections. "We assess Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the US presidential election,” the report read.

The report further stated that Russia aimed to denigrate Hillary Clinton and harm her electability and potential win against Trump. It added that intelligence agencies have "high confidence" in that assessment.

Meanwhile, Putin adviser, Dmitry Peskov, said Trump and his Russian counterpart must meet each other so they can exchange views. He believes that a meeting with the two leaders would help build a relationship between the nations they lead. The statement from Peskov came after Trump's ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, blurted that "there's no love" in the relationship between the two countries.

When asked by George Stephanopoulos in ABC's "This Week" if Putin preferred Trump over Clinton, Peskov said it was not a matter of preferring someone. He explained that it was more of whose ideas are close and are welcomed in Russian public opinion. He also urged to not forget about public opinion, which he said was very influential and very powerful.

Stephanopoulos has noted that public opinion about Putin in the US is “quite unfavourable,” noting that 9 percent of Americans in a recent poll have a positive opinion of the Russian leader and 9 percent see Russia as an ally. To this, the Kremlin spokesman assured that it’s not a problem for Putin. “For more than a year, American audience have been a target for severe anti-Russian propaganda,” he said, noting that people have fallen victims to that propaganda which explained why several Americans think Russian hackers were everywhere.

Source: Youtube/CNN