Trump says Putin “powerful” in election meddling denial

U.S. President Donald Trump says he sees no reason why Russia would interfere in the 2016 election.

Trump made that comment Monday, as he and Russian President Vladimir Putin came together for a much-anticipated one-on-one meeting in Helsinki, Finland.

The two leaders called the meeting successful and said it went very well.

Trump resisted when asked to condemn Russian meddling in the election.

Instead, he complained about a Democratic National Committee computer server and emails belonging to Hillary Clinton.

In his opening remarks, Putin said Trump brought up the issue of Russian meddling.

Putin told reporters he reiterated to Trump that Russia had nothing to do with it.

But when a reporter asked Putin if he directed any officials to help Trump win, he admitted that he did.

“He talked about bringing the U.S.-Russia relationship back to normal,”Putin said.

He said it was Trump’s calls for better ties between the two countries that made him a preferred candidate for many Russians.

Putin did not come to the summit empty-handed.

He brought a soccer ball to the and tossed it to Trump as the press conference wrapped up.

Trump said he’d give it to his 12-year-old son Barron, who is a soccer fan.

Russia just finished hosting the month-long World Cup, which ended Sunday with France taking the title.