This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-44870835

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 13 Version 14
Trump Putin: Russian leader attacks US critics of summit Trump Putin: Russian leader attacks US critics of summit
(35 minutes later)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has rounded on US critics of his summit with President Donald Trump.Russian President Vladimir Putin has rounded on US critics of his summit with President Donald Trump.
Certain forces in the US wanted to sacrifice US-Russian ties for their "narrow party interests", he told a meeting of Russian diplomats in Moscow.Certain forces in the US wanted to sacrifice US-Russian ties for their "narrow party interests", he told a meeting of Russian diplomats in Moscow.
"They are feeding millions of their people stories," he said."They are feeding millions of their people stories," he said.
Mr Trump has faced fierce criticism for contradicting his own intelligence agencies by refusing to blame Russia for meddling in the 2016 election. Mr Trump contradicted US intelligence agencies on Monday when he backed away from blaming Russia for meddling in the 2016 election, provoking condemnation.
He later said he had misspoken at the summit, but accusations he has taken too soft a line on Russia have not gone away. He later said he had misspoken at the summit.
In his comments, Mr Putin said the meeting had been "successful and has led to useful agreements".In his comments, Mr Putin said the meeting had been "successful and has led to useful agreements".
"Of course, it remains to be seen how the situation will develop, especially given that certain forces in America are trying to belittle and undermine the results of the meeting," he added."Of course, it remains to be seen how the situation will develop, especially given that certain forces in America are trying to belittle and undermine the results of the meeting," he added.
US special counsel Robert Mueller is currently investigating allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and whether there was collusion among the Trump campaign team, something denied by both.
What has President Trump said?
Much of the outrage stemmed from one comment Mr Trump made when he appeared alongside Mr Putin on Monday.
During a news conference, Mr Trump was asked whether he believed US intelligence agencies' conclusions or Mr Putin about whether Russia had meddled.
He replied: "My people came to me... they said they think it's Russia. 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."
Amid pressure to clarify, the following day he said he had misspoken.
On Wednesday, Mr Trump said "no" when asked if Russia was still targeting the US, a view that would contradict American intelligence agencies.
But the White House later said the president was saying "no" to further questions from reporters and that the threat to the US electoral system "still exists".
During an interview with CBS News on Wednesday, Mr Trump said he held Mr Putin personally responsible for interfering in the election, and that he was "very strong on the fact that we can't have meddling".During an interview with CBS News on Wednesday, Mr Trump said he held Mr Putin personally responsible for interfering in the election, and that he was "very strong on the fact that we can't have meddling".
On Thursday, Mr Trump accused opponents of preferring to go to war rather than seeing good relations with Russia. In a series of tweets he said he was keen to meet Mr Putin again.On Thursday, Mr Trump accused opponents of preferring to go to war rather than seeing good relations with Russia. In a series of tweets he said he was keen to meet Mr Putin again.
US special counsel Robert Mueller is currently investigating allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and whether there was collusion among the Trump campaign team, something denied by both.
A perfect fit for Kremlin
By Vitaliy Shevchenko, BBC Monitoring
Donald Trump's apparent U-turn may have come as a shock to some, but not to Russia. It fits perfectly the Kremlin's media narrative: the US president genuinely wants to mend ties with Russia, but is facing fierce opposition from the political mainstream.
"The deep state has literally leapt into action after the Helsinki summit," says official TV channel Rossiya 1.
According to state-run Channel One, Trump has become "the target of persecution with a vengeance" in the US, and therefore had to reverse his remarks on alleged Russian meddling.
Gazprom's NTV uses an old Russian saying about a man trying to catch a bird that has flown. The implication is clear: you said Russia never meddled, and it is too late to change that now.
And St Petersburg-based Channel Five wonders: "Is Trump under hypnosis?"
Ambassador controversyAmbassador controversy
The White House is facing further criticism for not ruling out a Russian proposal to question US citizens accused by the Kremlin of "illegal activities".The White House is facing further criticism for not ruling out a Russian proposal to question US citizens accused by the Kremlin of "illegal activities".
One of those being sought by Russia is former US ambassador to Moscow Michael McFaul, but allowing him to be questioned would breach the legal immunity normally granted to a country's foreign service.One of those being sought by Russia is former US ambassador to Moscow Michael McFaul, but allowing him to be questioned would breach the legal immunity normally granted to a country's foreign service.
Politicians from both sides of the US political divide have rubbished the idea - one Democrat congressman called the suggestion "crazy".Politicians from both sides of the US political divide have rubbished the idea - one Democrat congressman called the suggestion "crazy".
FBI director Christopher Wray also dismissed it, saying "it's certainly not high on our list of investigative techniques".FBI director Christopher Wray also dismissed it, saying "it's certainly not high on our list of investigative techniques".
What now? Democrats demand interpreter
US lawmakers are calling for a court demand to be issued for the notes of the US translator who accompanied Mr Trump to his two-hour meeting with Mr Putin.US lawmakers are calling for a court demand to be issued for the notes of the US translator who accompanied Mr Trump to his two-hour meeting with Mr Putin.
The two leaders met privately at the summit with only their interpreters present.The two leaders met privately at the summit with only their interpreters present.
Nancy Pelosi, Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, tried on Tuesday to stage a symbolic vote to support the findings of Russian interference, but was blocked by Republicans. But on Thursday, California Democrat Adam Schiff said House Republicans voted down a proposed measure to subpoena the interpreter.
On Thursday, House of Representatives Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi called Helsinki "one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory".
Senators Jeff Flake and Chris Coons, an Arizona Republican and a Delaware Democrat, are working on a non-binding resolution to endorse the intelligence committee's findings.Senators Jeff Flake and Chris Coons, an Arizona Republican and a Delaware Democrat, are working on a non-binding resolution to endorse the intelligence committee's findings.
The senators said they would aim to pass the resolution on Thursday.
Despite the controversy, Republican voters seem to be sticking by Mr Trump, with a Reuters/Ipsos poll this week finding that Mr Trump's Finland summit had no real impact on his overall approval ratings.Despite the controversy, Republican voters seem to be sticking by Mr Trump, with a Reuters/Ipsos poll this week finding that Mr Trump's Finland summit had no real impact on his overall approval ratings.
What has President Trump said?
Much of the outrage stemmed from one comment Mr Trump made when he appeared alongside Mr Putin on Monday.
During a news conference, Mr Trump was asked whether he believed US intelligence agencies' conclusions or Mr Putin about whether Russia had meddled.
According to a White House transcript, he said: "I will say this: I don't see any reason why it would be."
Amid outcry, the following day he said he had misspoken.