Putin-Bolton meeting has started in Kremlin. Bolton said he looks forward to hearing “how you handled the World Cup so successfully.” Putin flashed a big smile. 
Putin to Bolton: “Your visit here to Moscow inspires hope that we will be able to take first steps to restore full-fledged relations between Russia and the United States.”
Bolton to Putin: “I look forward to discussing with you how to improve Russian-U.S. relations, find areas where we can agree and make progress together.”
More Bolton to Putin: “Even in earlier days when our countries had differences, our leaders and their advisers met. I think that was good for both countries, good for stability in the world, and President Trump feels very strongly on that subject.”
Putin to Bolton at top of the meeting: "U.S.-Russian relations are not in their best shape. I have already said this publicly and would like to repeat in meeting with you that I believe this is in large part the result of an intense domestic political battle inside the U.S.”
In the room: US Ambassador Huntsman and NSC officials Fiona Hill and Joe Wang next to Bolton. Defense Minister Shoigu, Foreign Minister Lavrov, and foreign policy adviser Ushakov next to Putin.
Our first take from the Kremlin washingtonpost.com/world/europe/b…
Bolton's brief opening statement did not include specific references to Ukraine, Syria, or election interference. He's scheduled to hold a news conference here in Moscow early afternoon today DC time.
Russia and the U.S. have agreed on a time and place for the Putin-Trump summit, but the details will not be announced until tomorrow, Kremlin foreign policy aide Ushakov says.
Ushakov said election interference came up “very briefly” — “from our side, it was clearly stated that the Russian state did not interfere and does not interfere in domestic political processes in the United States, and most certainly did not interfere in the 2016 election.”
Bolton at presser says election interference did indeed come up but won’t say how he responded to Putin’s denial; says he expects the issue to be a topic at Putin-Trump summit
Bolton confirms that there will be an announcement tomorrow on the time and place for a Putin-Trump summit
Will Trump recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea? asks @AKurmanaev
Bolton: “That’s not the position of the United States.”
Bolton: “That’s not the position of the United States.”
