During his much-anticipated interview with NBC News’ Lester Holt, President Donald Trump was asked about his visit with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and the bad optics it created, having occurred less than a day after Trump fired FBI Director James Comey.

“It was set up a while ago and frankly, I could have waited,” Trump told Holt. “But what difference does it make? I’m not looking for cosmetics. I’m looking to do a great job for the country.”

The president went on to say it was a good thing he meets with heads of state and other influential people. Bringing up Russian President Vladimir Putin, he noted he has to speak to him as well because “it’s called Russia.”

Explaining that the Lavrov meeting was done as a favor to Putin, Trump went on to praise the conversation he had with the foreign minister, stating that it may lead to big things.

“During that discussion, I think we had a great discussion having to do with Syria and the Ukraine and maybe that discussion will lead to a lot less people getting killed and will lead ultimately to peace,” the president said. “So I’m okay with those discussions, Lester. I think it’s a good thing, not a bad thing.”

While in Washington, Lavrov joked about Comey — who was leading an FBI investigation into Russian election interference and possible collusion with Trump associates — while meeting with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, causing CNN’s Jake Tapper to claim that the Russians were “literally mocking” America in the nation’s capital.

Watch the clip above, via NBC News.

[image via screengrab]

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Follow Justin Baragona on Twitter: @justinbaragona

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