In this July 16, 2018 file photo interpreter Marina Gross (left) takes notes when US President Donald Trump talks to Russian President Vladimir Putin at the beginning of their one-on-one-meeting at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland on July 16, 2018. AP
MOSCOW聽 鈥� Russian politicians are rallying behind Vladimir Putin and denouncing American suggestions that the translator at his meeting with US President Donald Trump be interrogated about what they discussed privately.
Russia鈥檚 ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, expressed hope Thursday that 鈥渢he verbal agreements between Putin and Trump will be fulfilled.鈥� Russian officials worry that domestic turmoil in the US will hamper potential future cooperation on Syria or arms control discussed at the summit.
Russian officials have shrugged off Trump鈥檚 wildly contradictory accounts of what he said to Putin at Monday鈥檚 summit.
They are angry however at proposals by US lawmakers to question Trump鈥檚 translator. Konstantin Kosachev, head of the upper house of parliament鈥檚 foreign affairs committee, said Thursday the idea sets a dangerous precedent that threats the 鈥渢he whole idea of diplomacy,鈥� according to Russian news agencies. /ee