Paul Ryan rebukes Trump’s summit performance: ‘No question that Russia interfered in our election’

House Speaker Paul D. Ryan rebuked President Trump’s assertion Monday that Russia was not involved in hacking the 2016 presidential election.

“There is no question that Russia interfered in our election and continues attempts to undermine democracy here and around the world,” said Mr. Ryan, Wisconsin Republican. “That is not just the finding of the American intelligence community but also the House Committee on Intelligence.”

He said that Mr. Trump “must appreciate that Russia is not our ally.”

“There is no moral equivalence between the United States and Russia, which remains hostile to our most basic values and ideals. The United States must be focused on holding Russia accountable and putting an end to its vile attacks on democracy,” Mr. Ryan said.

Mr. Trump stunned his own Republican Party when he stood beside Russian President Vladimir Putin and gave him a pass on charges that Moscow meddled in the election.

“I don’t see any reason why it would be” Russia, Mr. Trump said said at a joint press conference with Mr. Putin after their summit in Helsinki.

Mr. Trump said he confronted Mr. Putin about the issue, including the indictment last week of 12 Russian military intelligence offices for hacking into the Democratic National Committee and Democrat Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.

“President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today,” Mr. Trump said.