president putin denied such ininvolvement as i think he has in the past. >> however, the russian counterpartthe only other person in the room, told another story. he said, quote, president trump said he's heard pew tip's clear statements this is not true, and that the russian government did not interfere in the elections, and that he accepts these statements. that's all. just the day before, president trump had equivocated as to whether russia was behind the 2016 hacking. where does that leave the fraught relationship? joining me to discuss is former anchor for rt, and carter paige, a former foreign policy adviser to candidate donald trump, an essential figure in the investigation in russian meddling and denied wrong doing. carter, were you surprised? were you disappointed that president trump brought up the subject of meddling to president putew given you are dismissive the allegations in the past? >> not surprised, michael, but i think you have to ask the question, and -- but there's nothing -- no, it was intelligence report, so completely fake intel report from january 6 done for politica