US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said he personally told top Russian officials that there would be “severe consequences” for any interference in US elections or the American democratic process.
Mr Pompeo told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that he had made the warning clear to Russia in multiple meetings and conversations.
Mr Pompeo made the comment in response to pointed questions about details of President Donald Trump’s one-on-one meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin last week in Finland.
Republican committee chairman Bob Corker opened the hearing by saying Mr Pompeo was appearing before senators who have “serious doubts” over Mr Trump and his foreign policy.