interference in the 2016 u.s. election. >> i have president putin. he just said it's not russia. i will say, this i don't see any reason why it would be. >> that brought widespread criticism, even among senior congressional republicans. >> everyone who has dealt with putin understands fully that the best way to deal with him is through strength and i just felt like the president's comments made us look as a nation more like a pushover. >> bolton also said the administration wants to maintain discussions with the russian government on strategic stability, disarmament, and regional conflicts. >> first, the president may briefly meet again with putin next month in paris. while the two are there for the commemoration of the end of the first world war. bret? >> bret: rich edson at the state department. rich, thank you. military leaders from north and south korea met today to discuss implementing a military agreement aimed at reducing tensions between