ASPEN, Colo. (AP) — National Intelligence Director Dan Coats was surprised to learn Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin had been invited to the White House this fall.
The moderator, NBC News’ Andrea Mitchell, at the Aspen Security Forum, where Coats was speaking in Colorado, broke into their conversation to describe the invitation.
“Say that again,” Coats said, cupping his ear.
He took a deep breath and continued, “OK.”
Then he smiled and said, “That’s going to be special.”
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Thursday that President Donald Trump has asked national security adviser John Bolton to invite Putin to Washington in the fall.
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