Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper James Robert ClapperOn China, Biden is no Nixon — and no Trump The Hill's 12:30 Report - Speculation over Biden's running mate announcement Trump slams former intelligence officials to explain 'reluctance to embrace' agencies MORE said in a Sunday morning interview that it’s “very naive” to think Russia will act with good intentions toward the United States.

“And I think it’s very naive, and again, in fact, perilous to this country, to make an assumption that Russia is going to behave with the best interests of the world or the United States in mind. They’re not,” Clapper told CNN’s “State of the Union.”

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Clapper’s comments come after President Trump Donald John TrumpUS reimposes UN sanctions on Iran amid increasing tensions Jeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Trump supporters chant 'Fill that seat' at North Carolina rally MORE told reporters on Saturday that he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin Vladimir Vladimirovich PutinPutin is about to turn his attention to the American way of life Putin critic Navalny posts photo of himself walking: 'Long' path to recovery FBI chief says Russia is trying to interfere in election to undermine Biden MORE “means it” when he denies meddling in the presidential election in 2016.

After sparking criticism with the comments, Trump later said he is “with our agencies” and that he believes Putin believes Russia did not interfere in the election.

“Putin is committed to undermining our system, our democracy and our whole process. And to try to paint it in any other way is, I think, astounding and in fact poses a peril to this country,” Clapper said in the interview.

“So the Russians do not harbor good intentions toward the United States. And there shouldn’t be any illusions or any ambiguity about that. And our president fosters that ambiguity.”