The Latest: Trump insists US will not lift Russian sanctions

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump (all times local):

With his record on Russia under scrutiny, President Donald Trump is insisting that the United States will not lift sanctions against Moscow. Two political outsiders, President Donald Trump and Italy's new premier expressed solidarity on migration issues Monday as they showed signs of a fledgling alliance at a time when the U.S. has dealt with strained relations with European leaders.Trump greeted Italy's Giuseppe Conte as "my new friend" and said they bonded at the recent G7 meetings in Canada, crediting the prime minister for taking a "firm stance on the border." Trump said Monday at a news conference with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte that the sanctions would not change despite the Russians' request. Trump welcomed the prime minister to the White House for the first time since the Italian leader came to power in June, bringing together two outsider leaders who have emerged from populist waves within their countries. Conte leads the euroskeptic coalition of the 5-Star Movement, which considers itself anti-establishment, and the right-wing, north-based League party. During their talks, Trump noted the U.S. trade deficit with Italy, a member of the EU, and said he was certain “we’ll straighten that out pretty quickly.”

Conte, in his remarks, said both he and Trump were leading “governments that represent change; they were chosen by citizens to change the status quo.” He cited Italy’s “innovative approach” on immigration and expressed support for Trump’s recent talks with Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
U.S. President Donald Trump hosts Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte at the White House.