President Trump congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday as Russia wraps up duties as host of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, after France clinched a victory against Croatia in the final of the international soccer competition.
“Congratulations to France, who played extraordinary soccer, on winning the 2018 World Cup,” Trump wrote on Twitter following France’s 4-2 victory over Croatia. “Additionally, congratulations to President Putin and Russia for putting on a truly great World Cup Tournament — one of the best ever!”
Congratulations to France, who played extraordinary soccer, on winning the 2018 World Cup. Additionally, congratulations to President Putin and Russia for putting on a truly great World Cup Tournament — one of the best ever!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 15, 2018
Critics say Trump has too cozy a relationship with Putin, and he has come under increased political fire from Democrats and some Republicans. Criticism has ratcheted up since Friday when a grand jury returned an indictment from special counsel Robert Mueller charging 12 Russian officials with engaging “in a sustained effort” to break into computers owned by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the Democratic National Committee, and Hillary Clinton’s campaign in the lead-up to the 2016 election.
Trump is scheduled to meet one-on-one with Putin in Helsinki, Finland, on Monday.
