Vladimir Putin

His remarks come after a U.S. Defense Department test of a modified Navy Tomahawk cruise missile, and the demise of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty between Washington and Moscow.

"I think it's much more appropriate to have Russia in," President Trump told reporters. In Russia, the Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said discussions should move from the media "to the expert level."

The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty was signed in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. The U.S. has long accused Russia of refusing to comply with its terms.

Russia's Defense Ministry said the submariners were poisoned by fumes from the fire, which broke out on a navy deep water research vessel.

The leaders are scheduled to meet on Thursday, according to Chinese and North Korean news agencies. The visit comes after stalled negotiations with President Trump.

The U.S.-based Free Russia Foundation accuses Russia of "infiltrating the fabric of democracy," using international law and accounting firms, think tanks and institutions.

President Vladimir Putin signed the new law, which allows punishment of individuals with fines and jail time for the spread of "fake news."

Spokesman Dmitry Peskov links the attacks to Russia's need for its own Internet. It is a "geopolitical angle to try to defend their own steps," says Internet freedom expert Sanja Kelly.

Authorities recommended conducting the test so that the country can assess its cyberdefenses in case of aggression, Russian media report.