Putin backs Trump: Nothing wrong with Zelensky conversations

"In my opinion, we have a good, professional relationships and a relatively stable level of trust," Vladimir Putin said. "We have never been close and we are not now," the Russian president said, referring to Donald Trump Putin, however, defended Trump's phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Putin: Nothing wrong with the Trump-Zelensky conversation
In Vladimir Putin's view, there was nothing amiss in Trump's controversial conversation with Zelensky, which the Democrats launched an investigation against the president.

"Trump turned to a colleague with a request to investigate possible corruption related to members of the previous administration. Any head of state would do the same," Putin said and added, referring to Democrats. "They have already used any excuse to attack Trump. Now it is Ukraine," he added.
 
In a phone call to Zelensky, Donald Trump asked the Ukrainian president to investigate Hunter Biden, son of former US Vice President Joe Biden, who will likely be the president's opponent in the 2020 election.

When asked if Russia would try to meddle in the US presidential election of 2020, Putin answered with a joke. "I'll tell you a secret: yes! We're going to do it for sure ... Just don't tell anyone," the Russian president said.
 
The relationship between Putin and Trump is at the center of focus again, as Democrats want to get their hands on the phone call transcripts. The Kremlin has said that there must be Russian consent to do so.

In the past, Putin has repeatedly referred to Trump by calling him by his first name, while the US president this summer said he was in favor of Russia's return to the G7.