Russia has issued an official statement on the “fake news” that has been circulating about U.S. President Donald Trump frequent communication with Russian intelligence agents last year. A report on Tuesday placed emphasis on the phone records and calls that showed how Trump’s presidential campaign members and other associates repeatedly contacted senior Russian intelligence officials prior to the U.S. election.
According to the New York Times, four present and former officials in the U.S. were in constant contact with these foreign authorities. On the other hand, a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin regarded the report as fake news, saying that it contained anonymous information that failed to point out actual persons to strongly relate Trump and Russia. The spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, also pointed out that, these days, it has become difficult to tell the difference between authentic and fake news reports.
“This is absolutely a newspaper report that isn’t based on any facts and that doesn’t point to any concrete facts,” he said. Meanwhile, traditional communications do exist between Trump and Russia as Peskov explained how U.S. diplomats continue to pay visits around their country and discuss issues with Russian officials. The spokesman referred to such as “normal diplomatic practice.”
On Wednesday, Trump took to social media and tweeted the same sentiments, saying that news publishers have been vocal of their “blind hatred,” fueling conspiracy theories and fake news. He also pointed out that real controversy lies on the fact that classified information had been illegally handed out by officials “like candy.” In addition, Senator Alexei Pushkov said the NY Times reported sought to defame Trump and Russia as it contained no facts at all- only opinions.
“This isn’t information but an info directional mine. The goal is to blow up the Trump administration,” Pushkov tweeted. Meanwhile, backlash from the Russian media continues in relation to Trump’s national security advisor Michael Flynn resigning from his post. Flynn left his position after a series of intelligence details indicated that he had discussed agreements with the Russian ambassador to Washington in secret.
