WASHINGTON: President Vladimir Putin stated in an interview launched Friday that he "couldn't care less" if fellow Russian electorate sought to meddle in the 2016 US presidential election, insisting such efforts could now not be tied to the Kremlin.
"Why have you decided the Russian authorities, myself included, gave anybody permission to do this?" Putin asked in the often-combative interview with NBC tv.
Special Counsel Robert Mueller is undertaking a wide-ranging investigation to decide whether or not President Donald Trump's marketing campaign colluded with Moscow to help elect him.
Last month Mueller indicted 13 Russian nationals and 3 Russian companies for allegedly backing Trump's marketing campaign, maligning his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton and engaging in other election interference.
"So what if they're Russians?" Putin stated of the allegations.
"There are 146 million Russians. So what?... I don't care. I couldn't care less... They do not represent the interests of the Russian state."
Mueller issued a 37-page indictment towards the Russians however Putin indicated he has observed no evidence thus far that the alleged meddling broke any US legislation.
"Are we the ones who imposed sanctions on the United States? The US imposed sanctions on us," he stated.
"We in Russia cannot prosecute anyone as long as they have not violated Russian law... At least send us a piece of paper... Give us a document. Give us an official request. And we'll take a look at it."
America's main intelligence agencies concluded remaining year that Putin himself had directed a extensive intelligence effort to persuade america election to undermine Clinton's marketing campaign and spice up Trump's chances, however Trump has time and again denied colluding with Moscow.
The Russian chief additionally rejected those exams.
"Could anyone really believe that Russia, thousands of miles away... influenced the outcome of the election? Doesn't that sound ridiculous even to you?" Putin asked.
Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, when he announced the Russian indictment, stated it made no judgment on whether or not the alleged Russian propaganda marketing campaign altered the result of the election which Trump gained.
"It's not our goal to interfere. We do not see what goal we would accomplish by interfering. There's no goal," Putin stated.
Trump himself has time and again shied away from condemning Russia over the alleged meddling.
US intelligence chiefs remaining month stated Russian makes an attempt to meddle in US politics are continuing unabated -- and pose a risk to mid-term congressional elections in November.
"Why have you decided the Russian authorities, myself included, gave anybody permission to do this?" Putin asked in the often-combative interview with NBC tv.
Special Counsel Robert Mueller is undertaking a wide-ranging investigation to decide whether or not President Donald Trump's marketing campaign colluded with Moscow to help elect him.
Last month Mueller indicted 13 Russian nationals and 3 Russian companies for allegedly backing Trump's marketing campaign, maligning his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton and engaging in other election interference.
"So what if they're Russians?" Putin stated of the allegations.
"There are 146 million Russians. So what?... I don't care. I couldn't care less... They do not represent the interests of the Russian state."
Mueller issued a 37-page indictment towards the Russians however Putin indicated he has observed no evidence thus far that the alleged meddling broke any US legislation.
"Are we the ones who imposed sanctions on the United States? The US imposed sanctions on us," he stated.
"We in Russia cannot prosecute anyone as long as they have not violated Russian law... At least send us a piece of paper... Give us a document. Give us an official request. And we'll take a look at it."
America's main intelligence agencies concluded remaining year that Putin himself had directed a extensive intelligence effort to persuade america election to undermine Clinton's marketing campaign and spice up Trump's chances, however Trump has time and again denied colluding with Moscow.
The Russian chief additionally rejected those exams.
"Could anyone really believe that Russia, thousands of miles away... influenced the outcome of the election? Doesn't that sound ridiculous even to you?" Putin asked.
Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, when he announced the Russian indictment, stated it made no judgment on whether or not the alleged Russian propaganda marketing campaign altered the result of the election which Trump gained.
"It's not our goal to interfere. We do not see what goal we would accomplish by interfering. There's no goal," Putin stated.
Trump himself has time and again shied away from condemning Russia over the alleged meddling.
US intelligence chiefs remaining month stated Russian makes an attempt to meddle in US politics are continuing unabated -- and pose a risk to mid-term congressional elections in November.
Putin 'couldn't care less' about US election interference
![Putin 'couldn't care less' about US election interference]()
Reviewed by Kailash
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March 10, 2018
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