U.S. President Donald Trump has made a complete U-turn on his comments about alleged Russian election meddling in the 2016 U.S. elections.
At the White House on Tuesday, Trump said he accepts U.S. intelligence agencies' conclusion that Russia interfered - just a day after he sided with Russia on the matter during his summit with President Putin.
For more on this and other news around the world we turn to our Ro Aram…
Aram… what exactly did Trump have to say?
Well Mark… Trump shocked the world after Monday's joint press conference with Putin in Helsinki, embracing Putin's denial that Moscow meddled in America's 2016 elections.
He said he didn't see why it would be the Russians.
However, on Tuesday, he said he misspoke.
"…..It should have been obvious, I thought it would be obvious but I would like to clarify, just in case it wasn't. In a key sentence in my remarks, I said the word 'would' instead of 'wouldn't.' The sentence should have been, 'I don't see any reason why I wouldn't or why it wouldn't be Russia.'……"
He also said he had full faith and support in U.S. intelligence agencies, but added that Russian interference had no impact on the 2016 election.
He also declined to respond when asked if he would condemn President Putin.
Although Trump tried to weather the storm of criticism he faced for Monday's press conference, the damage had already been done.
U.S. lawmakers from both sides of the aisle denounced Trump's decision to side with Putin, accusing him of siding with an adversary rather than his own country.
They also called for tougher sanctions and other actions to punish Russia.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the President's explanation was 24 hours too late, and in the wrong place.
Also on Tuesday in South Africa, former U.S. President Barack Obama gave his view on the direction of global politics.
"…..Look around, strongman politics are ascendant suddenly, whereby elections and some pretence of democracy are maintained, the form of it, but those in power seek to undermine every institution or norm that gives democracy meaning….. We see the utter loss of shame among political leaders where they're caught in a lie and they just double down and they lie some more….."
