The White House did not anticipate that the Russian government would allow its state news agency to post photographs of an Oval Office meeting between President Donald Trump, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Russia's ambassador to the US, a White House official said.
Photos of Wednesday's meeting, taken by a Russian state news media photographer one day after Trump fired FBI Director James Comey amid questions about possible Trump campaign collusion with Moscow, were ultimately posted by Russia's news agency, TASS.
The White House did not post photos of the meeting until Thursday. The State Department did post photos of Lavrov's meeting with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, but that was open to the press.
"They tricked us," an angry White House official said.
"That's the problem with the Russians -- they lie," the official added.
The Russians used the photos to troll the White House in its social media posts Wednesday. The Russian Foreign Ministry posted a photo of a smiling US President shaking hands with Lavrov on Twitter, adding strange and ironic optics to the questions already swirling around the White House over Comey's firing.
Source: NNA
GMT 00:26 2017 Tuesday ,19 September
Trump calls exFBI director Comey a 'leaker' after testimonyGMT 22:23 2017 Sunday ,11 June
Trump picks former Justice Department official to replace Comey at FBIGMT 21:50 2017 Sunday ,11 June
Sessions to appear before Senate panel probing Russian links to electionGMT 16:18 2017 Thursday ,08 June
Ex-FBI head Comey accuses Trump of pressure on Russia probeGMT 12:40 2017 Monday ,05 June
Comey to be pressed on whether Trump interfered with Russia probeMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor