Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats informed on stage at Aspen Security Forum that the Trump administration has invited Vladimir Putin to the White House. “Say that again,” he responds. https://t.co/RBdhdILVas pic.twitter.com/TZal1Xb4Yi — ABC News (@ABC) July 19, 2018

The White House announced Thursday it has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin for a meeting later this year.

NBC’s Andrea Mitchell broke the news to Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, who was on the stage of the Aspen Security Forum at the time, and appeared to have had no idea.

“The White House has announced on Twitter that Vladimir Putin is coming to the White House in the fall,” Mitchell told Coats.

“Say that again,” he replied, looking bewildered.

Mitchell then confirmed the announcement.

“Okay,” Coats said, taking a pause and laughing. “That’s gonna be special.”

Word of the invite comes just after an Associated Press report revealed Trump directed a national security adviser to extend a welcome to Putin for a visit.

Watch the clip above via ABC News.

[Image via screengrab]

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