The Late Show host, who is in Russia on assignment for his show, appeared on Evening Urgant, a popular Russian late-night program hosted by Ivan Urgant, on Friday. Russia has been under scrutiny in recent months for its alleged connections to the president and specifically the allegations that Russia somehow tampered with the results of the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Colbert took a brief hiatus from The Late Show on Thursday and Friday to travel to Russia, but will return with a new episode on Monday night. Colbert tweeted photo of himself in the country Thursday in response to a tweet by President Donald Trump in which the president acknowledged he did not have any tapes on ousted FBI director James Comey as he had previously seemed to hint at. @realDonaldTrump Don't worry, Mr. President. I'm in Russia. If the "tapes" exist, I'll bring you back a copy! pic.twitter.com/v5flvAMtFY — Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome) June 22, 2017 
 
 Colbert is the latest of several TV personalities to head to Russia in recent months. While many at the time thought his comments were made in jest, he insisted his candidacy was serious — though that was in line with his "Stephen Colbert" alter ego on Comedy Central's Colbert Report.
– Those tuning into the Late Show on Thursday and Friday were served a repeat, and for decent reason: Stephen Colbert is in Russia. The host traveled there "on assignment for a future broadcast of his show," per the Hollywood Reporter, which subsequently reported on his Friday night appearance on a popular Russian late-night show. Ivan Urgant hosts Evening Urgant, and Colbert took a few vodka shots alongside him in the part-Russian, part English interview (video here). Colbert first raised a glass to the "beautiful and friendly" Russian people: "I don't understand why no members of the Trump administration can remember meeting you." Then came the big news: "I am here to announce that I am considering a run for president in 2020, and I thought it would be better to cut out the middle man and just tell the Russians myself." That wasn't the last of the jokes on the topic, per the Reporter. Colbert also offered up, "If anyone would like to work on my campaign, in an unofficial capacity, please just let me know." Urgant had a strong volley back: "I’d like to make a toast to the beautiful country of the USA, which invented the Internet. Thanks to it, we can meddle with US elections." A fresh Late Show will run on Monday.