Putin Compares Russia Probe to ‘Anti-Semitism’

Accusations of Russian interference in the U.S. election “is disinformation,” Russian leader tells Megyn Kelly

megyn kelly putin panel

Vladimir Putin said the U.S. investigation into Russian interference in the election is like “anti-Semitism,” during a panel discussion with Megyn Kelly, ahead of the former Fox News anchor’s Sunday sit-down interview with the Russian president.

Putin said officials accusing Russia of hacking the U.S. election “reminds me of anti-Semitism and blaming the Jews. This is disinformation.”

During the panel talk on Friday, the Russian leader again denied that Russia encroached on the 2016 presidential election, telling Kelly that even her “underage daughter” could have been behind the hacking.

Kelly asked Putin about evidence that he was personally involved in a covert campaign, cited by U.S. intelligence officials, to hurt Hillary Clinton and help Donald Trump.

“IP addresses can be invented, a child can do that! Your underage daughter could do that. That is not proof,” Putin said.

The panel, which also included Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Moldovan President Igor Dodon, and Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern, was part of St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

Kelly has also been scheduled to do a separate sit-down interview with Putin on Friday. The exclusive interview will air on “Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly” this Sunday at 7 p.m. ET.

“We just got word this morning that President Putin has agreed to sit with yours truly for a one-on-one interview at the conclusion of tomorrow’s forum and I’ll get the chance to ask him directly about these allegations of meddling and the prospect of our two countries working together and beyond,” Kelly said Thursday on the “Today” show.

TheWrap reported earlier this week that Putin would appear on the premiere of “Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly,” though at the time it was unclear if the segment would be a new one-on-one or clips from the forum panel.

In addition to kicking off primetime for NBC on Sunday, Kelly’s deal to jump ship from Fox News also included a daytime talk show, which will premiere this fall opposite ABC’s “Live With Kelly & Ryan.”

You can watch some of the panel talk with Kelly and Putin at NBCNews.com.

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