Russian President Vladimir Putin said he likes guys like Donald Trump who speak their mind and dangled the possibility that patriotic Russians could have been involved in hacking during foreign elections.
"He's direct, open," Putin told a small group of foreign journalists in St. Petersburg on Thursday. "He can't be put in the same category as traditional politicians. I see great advantages because he's a person with a fresh view."
The praise comes amid deepening scrutiny of alleged Russian meddling in America's democratic process on behalf of Trump, who's dismissed the probes as a "witch hunt." Fired FBI Director James Comey may testify in front of a Senate committee next week over whether the president urged him to drop the bureau's investigation. The Senate panel also plans to hear from Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and a senior White House aide.