WASHINGTON, March 20./TASS/. The FBI is carrying out an investigation to prove possible attempts by the Russian government to interfere in the 2016 US presidential election, FBI Director James Comey said on Monday.
The FBI director acknowledged the existence of investigation against the FBI’s practice not to confirm the existence of ongoing probes. "But in unusual circumstances, where it is in the public interest, it may be appropriate to do so," Comey told the House Intelligence Committee.
The probe "includes investigating the nature of any links between individuals associated with the Trump campaign and the Russian government and whether there was any coordination between the campaign and Russia's efforts," he said.
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He pledged the FBI will be basing on facts. The US authorities hold Russia responsible for cyberattacks, but no proof has been furnished as of yet. These accusations were one of the main reasons for Washington’s slapping sanctions on December 29 that involved several Russian companies, the Federal Security Service and the Main Intelligence Agency of Russia’s General Staff. Besides, the US expelled 35 Russian diplomats and shut down two recreational compounds in New York and Maryland, owned by the Russian government.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow would not expel US diplomats from Russia in response to "unfriendly actions by the outgoing US administration."
Moscow has repeatedly denied any role in cyberattacks. Commenting on the new sanctions, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said they were a manifestation of aggression.