National security adviser John Bolton issued a statement on Wednesday that a planned fall White House visit for Russian President Vladimir Putin would be pushed to next year, citing Special Counsel Robert Mueller's ongoing investigation:
"The President believes that the next bilateral meeting with President Putin should take place after the Russia witch hunt is over, so we’ve agreed that it will be after the first of the year.”
Between the lines: The Kremlin had played coy after Trump's invitation, Reuters reports, suggesting the two leaders could meet on the sidelines of an international gathering, like November's G-20, instead.