Sunday Trump suggested softening the US stance toward Russia and easing sanctions

His comments Sunday came on the heels of remarks he made on Saturday, when he claimed he believed Russian President Vladimir Putin when Putin said Russia did not interfere in the 2016 election.

"And you know, people don't realize Russia has been very, very heavily sanctioned," he said. "They were sanctioned at a very high level, and that took place very recently. It's now time to get back to healing a world that is shattered and broken."

He was referring to a new sanctions bill he signed in early August, which targeted Russia, Iran, and North Korea. He said in a statement at the time that he supported "making clear that America will not tolerate interference in our democratic process, and that we will side with our allies and friends against Russian subversion and destabilization."

However, he added that the measure was "seriously flawed" and that it "improperly encroaches on executive power, disadvantages American companies, and hurts the interests of our European allies."

Trump's comments on Sunday came on the heels of remarks he made on Saturday, when he said he believed Russian President Vladimir Putin when Putin told him Russia did not interfere in the 2016 election.

"He said he didn't meddle. He said he didn't meddle," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. "I asked him again. You can only ask so many times. I just asked him again. He said he absolutely did not meddle in our election. He did not do what they are saying he did."

[link to www.businessinsider.com]