19 July 2018•Update: 20 July 2018
By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON
President Donald Trump "disagrees" with Russian President Vladimir Putin's offer to allow 12 Russian intelligence officers to be interviewed Thursday in exchange for allowing Moscow to interview American officials its accuses of various crimes.
“It is a proposal that was made in sincerity by President Putin, but President Trump disagrees with it," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement. "Hopefully President Putin will have the 12 identified Russians come to the United States to prove their innocence or guilt.”
The 12 individuals were indicted last week by a grand jury on charges of hacking related to the 2016 presidential campaign. They are allegedly agents of Russia's main intelligence directorate, the GRU.
Sanders stirred controversy by saying Wednesday the offer was being mulled by Trump and his top officials, even as the State Department lashed out at the "absolutely absurd" allegations with which Russia is seeking to charge American citizens.
"We do not stand by those assertions that the Russian government makes. The prosecutor general in Russia is well aware that the United States has rejected Russian allegations in this regard," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reporters.
Russia is seeking to question some Americans, including former U.S. ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul, and Hermitage Capital co-founder Bill Browder, about allegations of corruption and fraud.
Trump had earlier called Putin's proposal an "incredible offer" during a summit with Putin in Finland that has stirred significant controversy back home.
But Trump has been adamant the sit-down has generated considerable benefits for the U.S., calling it a "great success" and saying Thursday that he is looking forward to a follow-up with Putin.
"I look forward to our second meeting so that we can start implementing some of the many things discussed, including stopping terrorism, security for Israel, nuclear, proliferation, cyber attacks, trade, Ukraine, Middle East peace, North Korea and more" Trump said on Twitter.
"There are many answers, some easy and some hard, to these problems...but they can ALL be solved!" added Trump.
Trump has faced significant bipartisan criticism following his first meeting, and lashed out during Thursday’s tweet storm at the media's coverage.
