Russia has denied claims Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin held a "secret" meeting at the G20.

The Kremlin said both leaders only talked informally over dinner and it was "absolutely absurd" to suggest otherwise.

It comes following reports that the presidents had a second, previously undisclosed, conversation while at the summit.

Spokesman Dimitri Peskov told state TV: "The use of a term like 'undercover' or 'secret meeting' raises eyebrows.

"They had a bilateral meeting that had been officially agreed through diplomatic channels, then they repeatedly exchanged views and remarks on the sidelines.


"There were no undercover or secret meetings."

Trump defends private Putin conversation

But the dismissal runs contrary to previous reports.

Ian Bremmer, an American political scientist who broke the story, said sources at the dinner characterised the conversation very differently.

He said: "Halfway in [the dinner], Trump gets up from his seat, sits next to Putin, and spends roughly an hour talking privately and animatedly with the Russian president, joined only by Putin's own translator."

Mr Bremmer said it was notable that the US President "didn't bring in his own translator - a breach of national security protocol Trump likely wouldn't be aware of, but that significantly advantages the meeting towards Putin".

Mr Trump called the report "fake news" and "sick", tweeting: "Even a dinner arranged for top 20 leaders in Germany is made to look sinister!"

The Fake News is becoming more and more dishonest! Even a dinner arranged for top 20 leaders in Germany is made to look sinister! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 19, 2017

Also on Thursday, the Kremlin confirmed it was in talks with the White House about setting up a cybersecurity group.

The original suggestion, floated after the G20 meeting of world leaders in July, prompted incredulity from some Republicans.

But Andrey Krutskikh, a special envoy to Mr Putin, confirmed: "The talks are under way... different proposals are being exchanged, nobody denies the necessity of holding the talks and of having such contacts."

Mr Krutskikh also revealed the US formally asked Russia about election hacking one week before the 2016 presidential vote.

He said: "We supplied them with a preliminary response the following day. In January when Obama was still in office, before the inauguration, we gave a detailed answer."