DUBAI: Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to CBS News鈥� Elizabeth Palmer in Sochi Wednesday, just moments before he hit the rink for an ice hockey match.
In the short interview, during which a translator was present, the president spoke about US President Donald Trump鈥檚 surprise firing of FBI Director James Comey earlier this week after Palmer asked what effect the move would have on US-Russia ties.
鈥淲e have nothing to do with that,鈥� Putin offered, despite not having been asked whether Russia played a role in the incident. Putin added: 鈥淵our question looks very funny for me. Don鈥檛 be angry with me.鈥�

鈥淭here will be no effect,鈥� Putin said, adding that Trump was acting 鈥渋n accordance with his law, the Constitution.鈥�
Then, the Russian leader suggested the veteran reporter join the hockey game.
鈥淵ou see, I am going to play hockey with the hockey fans,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd I invite you to do the same.鈥�
The match was part of a gala and involved Russian officials, oligarchs and various sporting greats.
When he was fired Tuesday, Comey was in the midst of an FBI investigation into whether Trump鈥檚 campaign had ties to Russia鈥檚 election meddling.