The US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he discussed "the Russia Hoax" with Russian President Vladimir Putin but did not raise with his concerns about Russian meddling in US elections.

Trump and Putin spoke by phone for the first time since US Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report about Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential campaign was released. Mueller's report found that the Russian government had interfered in the election "in a sweeping and systematic fashion."

Trump, talking to reporters as he met Slovak Republic Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini, indicated that he and Putin only discussed Mueller's conclusion that Trump did not collude with Russia in 2016.

Trump said Putin seemed amused. "He said something to the effect that it started off as a mountain and it ended up being a mouse. But he knew that because he knew there was no collusion whatsoever," said Trump.

Pressed on whether he urged Putin not to meddle in the upcoming 2020 election when Trump will be seeking re-election, the president said the issue was not discussed.

"We didn't discuss that. Really, we didn't discuss it. We discussed five or six things," he said.

In a tweet, Trump said he and Putin talked about "the Russia Hoax," among other topics including nuclear arms, North Korea and Venezuela.

Trump has raised election meddling with Putin in past conversations but has tended to play down the impact of what happened in 2016 out of concern that his victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton might seem illegitimate.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders, asked by reporters on the White House driveway why Trump did not press Putin on the issue, said: "The president's been clear that no one needs to meddle in our election. He doesn't need to do that every two seconds."

The US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he discussed "the Russia Hoax" with Russian President Vladimir Putin but did not raise with his concerns about Russian meddling in US elections.

The US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he discussed "the Russia Hoax" with Russian President Vladimir Putin but did not raise with his concerns about Russian meddling in US elections. Trump and Putin spoke by phone for the first time since US Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report about Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential campaign was released. Mueller's report found that the Russian government had interfered in the election "in a sweeping and systematic fashion." Trump, talking to reporters as he met Slovak Republic Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini, indicated that he and Putin only discussed Mueller's conclusion that Trump did not collude with Russia in 2016. Trump said Putin seemed amused. "He said something to the effect that it started off as a mountain and it ended up being a mouse. But he knew that because he knew there was no collusion whatsoever," said Trump. Pressed on whether he urged Putin not to meddle in the upcoming 2020 election when Trump will be seeking re-election, the president said the issue was not discussed. "We didn't discuss that. Really, we didn't discuss it. We discussed five or six things," he said. In a tweet, Trump said he and Putin talked about "the Russia Hoax," among other topics including nuclear arms, North Korea and Venezuela. Trump has raised election meddling with Putin in past conversations but has tended to play down the impact of what happened in 2016 out of concern that his victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton might seem illegitimate. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders, asked by reporters on the White House driveway why Trump did not press Putin on the issue, said: "The president's been clear that no one needs to meddle in our election. He doesn't need to do that every two seconds."

Trump says did not raise election meddling with Putin in phone call

US prosecutors revealed Friday that a Russian offered cooperation to Donald Trump's campaign as early as 2015, declaring that the president's ex-lawyer Michael Cohen had provided "relevant" and "substantial" help to the Russia investigation.

In a separate case, federal prosecutors demanded "substantial" jail time of between 51 to 63 months -- four to five years -- for Cohen for bank fraud and campaign finance violations to which he plead guilty last August.

US Attorney Robert Khuzami accused the 52-year-old, who once vowed to take a bullet for the president, of being motivated by "personal greed" and of "repeatedly" using his power and influence for "deceptive ends."

"Totally clears the President. Thank you!" tweeted the US president cryptically as television networks were consumed by the Cohen documents -- which the White House dismissed as revealing "nothing of value."

The campaign finance violations to which Cohen pleaded guilty in August concerned hush payments he made on Trump's behalf to alleged former lovers of the president, including porn star Stormy Daniels.

Robert Mueller, the special counsel heading up the probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 vote, followed up with a separate filing saying Cohen had made "substantial and significant efforts to remediate his misconduct, accept responsibility for his actions, and assist" the special investigation, a thorn in Trump's side.

Cohen continued to provide "relevant and truthful information" to assist the probe, holding seven sessions with investigators, "many of them lengthy, and continues to make himself available to investigators," it said.

He had provided information about contacts with Russian interests during the campaign, attempts by Russians to reach the campaign and about contacts with "persons connected to the White House" in 2017-2018, the filing added.

Around November 2015, some five months after Trump launched his bid for the presidency and well before previously reported contacts, Cohen spoke to a purported "trusted person" in the Russian Federation who offered the campaign "political synergy" and "synergy on a government level."

Cohen said the person "repeatedly proposed" a meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, claiming it could have a "phenomenal" impact "not only in political but in a business dimension as well".

"Cohen, however, did not follow up on this invitation," the filing added.

Trump claims 'cleared'

The former fixer last week pleaded guilty to lying to Congress in connection with a Moscow real-estate deal, which was being pursued as late as one month before Trump officially became the Republican nominee for president.

Due to his help, Mueller declined to recommend additional jail time for Cohen for lying to Congress.

Recent filings in the Mueller probe have suggested the White House knew that Cohen planned to lie to lawmakers about his contacts with Russians.

They also suggest Trump and his family were in the loop on discussions with Russians on a Moscow project, even after the real estate tycoon secured the Republican nomination in mid-2016.

Trump's spokeswoman Sarah Sanders dismissed the latest filings in Cohen's case, saying they "tell us nothing of value that wasn't already known."

"Mr. Cohen has repeatedly lied and as the prosecution has pointed out to the court, Mr. Cohen is no hero," she said.

But Mueller has been inching ever closer to the White House, and early on Friday Trump fired off a feverish volley of tweets against a probe he dubs a "witch hunt," accusing Mueller of "big time conflicts of interest" and alleging the prosecutor coerced false testimony from witnesses.

The commander-in-chief vowed his lawyers would produce a "major Counter Report" to rebut Mueller's findings, as and when he delivers them.

Attorney general switch

Shortly afterwards, Trump announced his intention to nominate William Barr as his new attorney general -- succeeding Jeff Sessions, who he sacked last month.

Sessions had angered the president by recusing himself from overseeing the Mueller probe because of his own contacts with Russian officials.

Barr -- a former attorney general under the late George H.W. Bush -- is considered something of a consensus candidate for the highly sensitive post.

He does, however, have a record of endorsing strong executive powers, which could come into play if Mueller sought to compel Trump to testify.

Barr has also voiced concerns about a number of Mueller's team donating to the Democratic Party.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer warned Barr must commit, under oath, that the Russia investigation "will proceed unimpeded" and that the final report will be made available to Congress and the public "immediately."

In Washington Mueller also detailed multiple "lies" that former Trump campaign chief Paul Manafort told investigators, leading to a termination of his cooperation deal.

A heavily redacted court filing included among Manafort's "lies," untruths about his dealings with Konstantin Kilimnik, a business associate who US officials suspect is a Russian intelligence operative, and about his contacts with Trump administration officials after striking a plea agreement.

The White House similarly dismissed that filing, arguing it "says absolutely nothing about the President."

"Once again the media is trying to create a story where there isn't one," said Sanders.&nbsp;

US prosecutors revealed Friday that a Russian offered cooperation to Donald Trump's campaign as early as 2015, declaring that the president's ex-lawyer Michael Cohen had provided "relevant" and "substantial" help to the Russia investigation.

US prosecutors revealed Friday that a Russian offered cooperation to Donald Trump's campaign as early as 2015, declaring that the president's ex-lawyer Michael Cohen had provided "relevant" and "substantial" help to the Russia investigation. In a separate case, federal prosecutors demanded "substantial" jail time of between 51 to 63 months -- four to five years -- for Cohen for bank fraud and campaign finance violations to which he plead guilty last August. US Attorney Robert Khuzami accused the 52-year-old, who once vowed to take a bullet for the president, of being motivated by "personal greed" and of "repeatedly" using his power and influence for "deceptive ends." "Totally clears the President. Thank you!" tweeted the US president cryptically as television networks were consumed by the Cohen documents -- which the White House dismissed as revealing "nothing of value." The campaign finance violations to which Cohen pleaded guilty in August concerned hush payments he made on Trump's behalf to alleged former lovers of the president, including porn star Stormy Daniels. Robert Mueller, the special counsel heading up the probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 vote, followed up with a separate filing saying Cohen had made "substantial and significant efforts to remediate his misconduct, accept responsibility for his actions, and assist" the special investigation, a thorn in Trump's side. Cohen continued to provide "relevant and truthful information" to assist the probe, holding seven sessions with investigators, "many of them lengthy, and continues to make himself available to investigators," it said. He had provided information about contacts with Russian interests during the campaign, attempts by Russians to reach the campaign and about contacts with "persons connected to the White House" in 2017-2018, the filing added. Around November 2015, some five months after Trump launched his bid for the presidency and well before previously reported contacts, Cohen spoke to a purported "trusted person" in the Russian Federation who offered the campaign "political synergy" and "synergy on a government level." Cohen said the person "repeatedly proposed" a meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, claiming it could have a "phenomenal" impact "not only in political but in a business dimension as well". "Cohen, however, did not follow up on this invitation," the filing added. Trump claims 'cleared' The former fixer last week pleaded guilty to lying to Congress in connection with a Moscow real-estate deal, which was being pursued as late as one month before Trump officially became the Republican nominee for president. Due to his help, Mueller declined to recommend additional jail time for Cohen for lying to Congress. Recent filings in the Mueller probe have suggested the White House knew that Cohen planned to lie to lawmakers about his contacts with Russians. They also suggest Trump and his family were in the loop on discussions with Russians on a Moscow project, even after the real estate tycoon secured the Republican nomination in mid-2016. Trump's spokeswoman Sarah Sanders dismissed the latest filings in Cohen's case, saying they "tell us nothing of value that wasn't already known." "Mr. Cohen has repeatedly lied and as the prosecution has pointed out to the court, Mr. Cohen is no hero," she said. But Mueller has been inching ever closer to the White House, and early on Friday Trump fired off a feverish volley of tweets against a probe he dubs a "witch hunt," accusing Mueller of "big time conflicts of interest" and alleging the prosecutor coerced false testimony from witnesses. The commander-in-chief vowed his lawyers would produce a "major Counter Report" to rebut Mueller's findings, as and when he delivers them. Attorney general switch Shortly afterwards, Trump announced his intention to nominate William Barr as his new attorney general -- succeeding Jeff Sessions, who he sacked last month. Sessions had angered the president by recusing himself from overseeing the Mueller probe because of his own contacts with Russian officials. Barr -- a former attorney general under the late George H.W. Bush -- is considered something of a consensus candidate for the highly sensitive post. He does, however, have a record of endorsing strong executive powers, which could come into play if Mueller sought to compel Trump to testify. Barr has also voiced concerns about a number of Mueller's team donating to the Democratic Party. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer warned Barr must commit, under oath, that the Russia investigation "will proceed unimpeded" and that the final report will be made available to Congress and the public "immediately." In Washington Mueller also detailed multiple "lies" that former Trump campaign chief Paul Manafort told investigators, leading to a termination of his cooperation deal. A heavily redacted court filing included among Manafort's "lies," untruths about his dealings with Konstantin Kilimnik, a business associate who US officials suspect is a Russian intelligence operative, and about his contacts with Trump administration officials after striking a plea agreement. The White House similarly dismissed that filing, arguing it "says absolutely nothing about the President." "Once again the media is trying to create a story where there isn't one," said Sanders.

Russian offered Trump campaign 'political' cooperation in 2015: US prosecutors

US President Donald Trump has denied that there are any tapes of his conversations with sacked FBI director James Comey just days after suggesting the possibility of such tapes existing.

In a tweet, Trump said, &quot;With all of the recently reported electronic surveillance, intercepts, unmasking and illegal leaking of information, I have no idea whether there are &#39;tapes&#39; or recordings of my conversations with James Comey, but I did not make, and do not have, any such recordings.&quot;

In an earlier Twitter post just after he sacked Comey from the position of FBI director on May 9, Trump had said: &quot;James Comey better hope that there are no &#39;tapes&#39; of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!&quot;

US lawmakers who are investigating Russia&#39;s role in the 2016 Presidential elections had asked the White House to provide recordings of conversations between Comey and Trump.

Comey had appeared before a Senate hearing testifying that Trump had asked him to drop a probe against former Nationsla Security Adviser Michael Flynn for his alleged links to the Russian ambassador.

Trump and his administration is under fire for the alleged meddling by Russians in the 2016 US Presidential elections.&nbsp;

Kremlin has denied the US intelligence agencies&#39; probe that Russia tried to influence the elections in Trump&#39;s favour by hacking into Demoratic Party&#39;s emails.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Trump had earlier posted on Twitter that there could be a possibility of recordings of conversations between Comey and him

US President Donald Trump has denied that there are any tapes of his conversations with sacked FBI director James Comey just days after suggesting the possibility of such tapes existing. In a tweet, Trump said, "With all of the recently reported electronic surveillance, intercepts, unmasking and illegal leaking of information, I have no idea whether there are 'tapes' or recordings of my conversations with James Comey, but I did not make, and do not have, any such recordings." In an earlier Twitter post just after he sacked Comey from the position of FBI director on May 9, Trump had said: "James Comey better hope that there are no 'tapes' of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!" US lawmakers who are investigating Russia's role in the 2016 Presidential elections had asked the White House to provide recordings of conversations between Comey and Trump. Comey had appeared before a Senate hearing testifying that Trump had asked him to drop a probe against former Nationsla Security Adviser Michael Flynn for his alleged links to the Russian ambassador. Trump and his administration is under fire for the alleged meddling by Russians in the 2016 US Presidential elections. Kremlin has denied the US intelligence agencies' probe that Russia tried to influence the elections in Trump's favour by hacking into Demoratic Party's emails.

Trump says no recordings of conversations between him and former FBI director Comey