Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections

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US President Donald Trump opened his much-anticipated meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin by raising concerns about Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 presidential election, according to US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

Photo: kremlin.ru

President Vladimir Putin has accused foreign intelligence agencies of intensifying their efforts against Russia, including through supporting terrorist groups and trying to interfere with internal politics.

U.S. President Donald Trump is eager to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin with full diplomatic bells and whistles when the two are in Germany for a multinational summit next month. But the idea is exposing deep divisions within the administration on the best way to approach Moscow in the midst of an ongoing investigation into Russian meddling in the U.S. elections.

Russia is reportedly recalling Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, the man who has emerged as a focal point in the FBI probe into Russia's election meddling, writes The Hill. The Kremlin did not confirm to the news outlet when Kislyak would head back to Russia, but the US-Russia Business Council on July 11 will have a going away party for Kislyak at the St. Regis Hotel, the report said.

President Donald Trump has responded angrily to reports that he is under criminal investigation, deriding a "witch hunt" against him led by some "very bad" people.

The US Senate voted nearly unanimously on Thursday for legislation to impose new sanctions on Russia and force President Donald Trump to get Congress' approval before easing any existing sanctions on Russia, Reuters reports.

President Vladimir Putin has voiced hope for normalizing Russia-U.S. ties while speaking in a live call-in show with the nation on June 15.

He said Moscow and Washington could cooperate in efforts to prevent the proliferation of mass destruction weapons, including the North Korean nuclear and missile problem.

The special counsel appointed to investigate Russian influence in the 2016 presidential campaign is now examining whether President Donald Trump tried to obstruct justice, The Washington Post reported late on June 14.

Accusations of obstruction arose last month when Trump fired FBI Director James Comey.

U.S. President Donald Trump is being investigated by special counsel Robert Mueller for possible obstruction of justice, The Washington Post reported on Wednesday, citing unidentified officials, Voice of America reported.

Jeff Sessions, a longtime senator until President Donald Trump picked him as U.S. Attorney General, heads to Congress next week where he could face a grilling about his Russian interactions.