Sen. Richard Burr Richard Mauze BurrRep. Mark Walker says he's been contacted about Liberty University vacancy Overnight Defense: Trump rejects major cut to military health care | Senate report says Trump campaign's Russia contacts posed 'grave' threat Senate report describes closer ties between 2016 Trump campaign, Russia MORE (R-N.C.), chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said on Monday that President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE must recognize that Russian President Vladimir Putin's denial of Russian meddling in the 2016 election is a lie.

"President Putin ordered an influence campaign aimed at the 2016 U.S. elections with the goal of undermining faith in our democratic process. Russia has conducted a coordinated cyberattack on state election systems and hacked critical infrastructure. They have used social media to sow chaos," Burr said in a statement.

ADVERTISEMENT

He added that any statement that Putin makes that contradicts "these facts is a lie and should be recognized as one by the president."

Burr's comments come after Trump sparked intense backlash by refusing to denounce Russia's interference in the 2016 election during a joint press conference with Putin in Helsinki.

“He just said it’s not Russia,” Trump told reporters, echoing Putin's denials. “I will say this, I don’t see any reason why it would be.”

The Senate Intelligence Committee released an assessment earlier this month that upheld the conclusion of the intelligence community that Russia developed a "clear preference" for then-candidate Trump in the 2016 election and sought to help him win the White House.

Lawmakers have been wary for years of Trump's warmer rhetoric toward Putin. Democrats, as well as GOP lawmakers, said they did not believe that Trump should meet with the Russian president.

Burr added on Monday that Putin "is not our friend and never has been."

"Nor does he want to be our friend. His regime’s actions prove it. We must make clear that the United States will not tolerate hostile Russian activities against us or our allies," he said.