US President Donald Trump said he had “good discussions” with Russian leader Vladimir Putin when they met briefly at an Asia-Pacific summit in Vietnam.
On Twitter, he blasted “haters and fools”, who, he said, do not encourage good relations between the countries.
Earlier he said Mr Putin told him he was insulted by allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 US election.
The US intelligence community has previously concluded that Russia tried to sway the poll in Mr Trump’s favour.
“He said he absolutely did not meddle in our election,” the US president said.
However, after intense criticism, Mr Trump clarified hat he supported US intelligence agencies in their conclusion. “As to whether or not I believe it or not, I’m with our agencies. I believe in our… intelligence agencies,” he said.
“What he believes, he believes,” he added, of Mr Putin’s belief that Russia did not meddle.
The two leaders had no formal bilateral talks during the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) event, but met in passing on three occasions. They spoke about the Syria crisis and the election allegations, according to Mr Trump.
Republican Senator John McCain, a vehement critic of Mr Trump, called him naive for “taking the word of a KGB colonel over that of the American intelligence community”.
A CIA statement passed to US media said: “The intelligence assessment with regard to Russian election meddling has not changed.”
In his tweets, Mr Trump also said his predecessor, Barack Obama lacked “chemistry” with President Putin.
The US justice department has appointed special investigator Robert Mueller to examine any possible collusion involving Mr Trump’s team, and legal action has already been taken against several former aides. -BBC
