LOC18:52
15:52 GMT
WASHINGTON, July 17 (KUNA) -- US Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan on Tuesday insisted that Russia interfered in the US elections and proposed passing tougher sanctions on Moscow.
Ryan's comments came a day after President Donald Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin's denial of involvement in the US election process was "extremely strong and powerful."
"They did interfere in our elections... it's really clear. There should be no doubt about that," Ryan told reporters.
The Speaker said that if congress pushed for further sanctions on Russia, he would be "more than happy to consider those."
"Russia is a menacing government that does not share our interests and it does not share our values," Ryan stressed.
Although Ryan acknowledged that he has not spoken to Trump, he said that his statement put out yesterday rebuking the President's comments "speaks for itself."
Meanwhile, Trump said on twitter that he had a "great meeting with NATO" and that the group will pay billions of more dollars in the future "only because of me."
"NATO was weak, but now it is strong again (bad for Russia). The media only says I was rude to leaders, never mentions the money," the President highlighted.
"While I had a great meeting with NATO, raising vast amounts of money, I had an even better meeting with Vladimir Putin of Russia. Sadly, it is not being reported that way - the Fake News is going Crazy," Trump noted. (end)
ak.hb