Russian President Vladimir Putin told state media to spend less time covering President Trump, according to a report.
Putin said the details about the new U.S. president are no longer of high interest to Russians, according to a Thursday report by Bloomberg.
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Citing anonymous sources “familiar with the matter,” however, Bloomberg said the real reason for the Kremlin’s directive is that Russia is now anticipating the new administration will be “less friendly than first thought.”
The report said that “wall-to-wall coverage” of Trump “went too far for the Kremlin’s liking. In January, Trump received more mentions in the media than Putin, relegating the Russian leader to the No. 2 spot for the first time since he returned to the Kremlin in 2012 after four years as premier, according to Interfax data.”
Bloomberg’s report comes as the White House is facing intense scrutiny over its ties to the Russian government.
Trump has said he doesn’t know Putin and has no business deals with Russia, but recent reports say that Trump associates were in touch with Russian officials during the campaign.
On Thursday, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told NATO ministers in Brussels that the U.S. is not yet prepared to cooperate militarily with Russia in Syria, something Trump has said he’s wanted.
