President Donald Trump had another, previously undisclosed conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit in Germany this month.
White House spokesman Sean Spicer and National Security Council spokesman Michael Anton confirmed that Mr Trump and Mr Putin spoke at a dinner for world leaders and their spouses at the Group of 20 summit in Hamburg, Germany.
The conversation came hours after their first official face-to-face meeting on July 7, which was originally scheduled to last just half-an-hour but stretched on for more than two. The two world leaders were also captured on video shaking hands and exchanging a few words after they arrived at the G20 summit of industrialised and developing nations earlier that day.
Mr Anton would not specify the duration of the conversation. A senior White House official told CNN the discussion was for “nearly an hour”. But Mr Anton said the discussion was casual and should not be characterised as a “meeting” or even a less formal, but official, “pull-aside.” “A conversation over dessert should not be characterised as a meeting,” he said.
The White House, in a statement, said the conversation took place in full view of other world leaders and their spouses. “It is not merely perfectly normal, it is part of a President’s duties, to interact with world leaders,” it said.
The White House said Mr Trump spoke with Mr Putin through Russia’s translator. John Kirby, a military analyst told CNN: “While smaller pull-aside meetings are common, it is strange that a pull-aside with someone like Mr Putin — especially Putin — would not include at least another national security official and a translator.”
Meanwhile, Mr Trump tweeted: “Fake News story of secret dinner with Putin is “sick.” All G 20 leaders, and spouses, were invited by the Chancellor of Germany. Press knew!” And then another tweet: “The Fake News is becoming more and more dishonest! Even a dinner arranged for top 20 leaders in Germany is made to look sinister!”
