'Don't meddle in the election':Trump gives Putin light-hearted warning

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Donald Trump wearing a suit and tie

President Donald Trump issued a warning to his Russian counterpart Friday against meddling in US elections, laughing and smiling as he told his counterpart not to interfere.

"We have many things to discuss, including trade and some disarmament, some little protectionism, in a very positive way," Trump said.

 Trump said when questioned by reporters whether he would issue a warning on the matter during their talks.

"Don't meddle in the election, please," Trump said, smirking and wagging his finger at Putin.

It was an off-hand moment that came at the start of the men's first meeting since the conclusion of Robert Mueller's investigation.

Trump said he enjoyed a "very, very good relationship" with Putin, and said "many positive things are going to come out of the relationship."

In the seven months since Trump last encountered his Russian counterpart, the Russians detained a former Marine on espionage charges and were accused by Mueller in his report of waging a "sweeping and systematic" influence campaign during the 2016 election.

In Trump's view, that's the fault of Democrats and overzealous investigators intent on finding links between his campaign and Russian officials. As he greeted Putin for the first time since Mueller concluded his investigation and released a final report, there was little to indicate his view of Moscow's influence efforts has changed.

It's also based on Trump's general unwillingness to criticize Putin, despite his efforts that butt against American interests from the Middle East to Ukraine to election security. As Trump was traveling to the G20 summit, he lobbed criticism at Japan, India and Germany over trade and defense matters -- but not toward Russia.

Trump met the leaders of those three countries earlier Friday: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel (who on Thursday was seen shaking in public for the second time in less than two weeks, raising concern over her well-being).

In those sessions, Trump cast an optimistic view on trade, saying countries were desperate for access to US markets.

"We're the hottest country in the world right now, the United States, and everyone wants a part of it," he said before meeting Modi, whom he criticized on the way to the G20 for applying retaliatory tariffs on the United States


The week the US Embassy in Moscow sent a note of protest to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs over Whelan's treatment in a Moscow jail.

"We were asked to investigate this situation and ensure the safety and protection of Mr. Whelan," the embassy said in a statement. "The welfare of US citizens abroad is our top priority."

Whelman remains in pre-trial detention.

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