Putin: Trump seemed 'satisfied' with my denial of Russian election meddling

MOSCOW - 8 July 2017: Russia President Vladimir Putin has said he thought Donald Trump believed his denials of Russian meddling in the 2016 US election, following the two presidents’ first face-to-face meeting on Friday, The Guardian has reported.

Speaking after the G20 summit of leading economies, the Russian leader said his US counterpart had asked him numerous questions about Russia’s alleged interference in the presidential election during a lengthy discussion of the issue.

Putin said he thought his answers had satisfied Trump, but he added that Trump’s opinion would be better sought from the US president himself.

"[Trump] asked a lot of questions on this subject,” Putin said. "I, inasmuch as I was able, answered these questions. It seems to me that he took these [answers] on board and agreed with them, but in actual fact, it’s best to ask him how he views this."

"I believe it would not be entirely appropriate on my part to disclose details of my discussion with Mr Trump. He asked, I answered him. He asked pointed questions, I answered them. It seemed to me that he was satisfied with those answers."

Meanwhile, the two presidents agreed to set up a joint group to work on cybersecurity, Putin added.

The Russian leader said that he had established a personal relationship with the US president, adding that Trump was able to properly perceive his interlocutors, quickly analyze information and to answer questions, as well as responding to the issues that could emerge during discussions.

"The Trump you see on TV is very different from the real person," Putin said, answering a question about meeting with US President Donald Trump.

"I think that if we build relationship in the way, we communicated yesterday, then there is every reason to suppose will be able to restore the level of cooperation we need, at least partially," Putin said.