President Donald Trump’s top advisers reportedly warned him against congratulating Russian President Vladimir Putin for winning re-election, with aides writing in all capital letters: “DO NOT CONGRATULATE.” The two leaders spoke by phone Tuesday, the White House and the Kremlin said. Aides also requested that Trump mention the nerve-agent attack on a former Russian spy in the United Kingdom, which the U.S. and its allies have blamed on Russia. But Trump did not mention the attack and did congratulate Putin. His congratulatory message drew rebukes on Capitol Hill, with Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) saying Trump “insulted” the Russian people for congratulating Putin on winning a “sham” election.
