"If the Foreign Affairs Committee, or the Finance Committee and the Banking Committee in the Senate think there are other sanctions that we haven't put in place against Russia, I would be happy to consider them," Paul Ryan told reporters on Tuesday, July 17.

US elites call summit a mistake.

Earlier, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell also shared with the press that the US Senate could hold a vote on whether to continue sanctions against Russia.

“It is possible that we will introduce legislation related to this issue,” he said after a closed-door meeting with lawmakers in the US Senate.

“The Russians need to know that there are many of us who fully understand what happened in 2016 and it would be better not to happen again in 2018,” McConnell said.

Republican lawmakers said they are considering sanctions against Russia over election meddling allegations. They will decide within 10 days whether to pass the bill, after the US Director of National Intelligence determines whether Russia interfered in the US election.

Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr said he "has always supported sanctions against Russia."

Republicans have criticized President Donald Trump after the US leader affirmed that he shares the same views as Russian President Vladimir Putin on the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US election. Mr. Trump even said that he "accepted political risks to pursue peace" with Russia.

The US President affirmed that there is still no conclusion on the accusation of Russia interfering in the US election, while emphasizing that he conducted the election campaign in a transparent manner.

Mr. Trump also said that Mr. Robert Mueller's investigation into the possibility of Russian interference in the 2016 election had a "negative impact" on Russia-US relations.

"It's ridiculous. It's ridiculous what's going on in the investigation," Mr. Trump said.

Mr. Trump also commented: "I see no reason for Russia to interfere in the 2016 election."

"Constructive dialogue between Russia and the United States promotes the opportunity to open new paths towards world peace and stability. I would rather take political risks in pursuit of peace than risk peace in pursuit of politics."

President Trump's statements immediately sparked an immediate outburst from Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who tweeted: "President Trump's missed opportunity to firmly hold Russia accountable for its interference in 2016 and issue a strong warning for future elections."

Mr Graham also said that Mr Trump's actions would be seen by Russia as a sign of "weakness" and "create more problems than they solve".

“I never thought I would see the day when our president would stand on the same stage as the president of Russia and blame America for Russia’s aggressive behavior,” said Republican Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona.

“The American people deserve the truth, and this contempt for the legitimacy of our intelligence officials is a disservice to the men and women who serve this country,” Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., wrote on Twitter. “It’s time to wake up and face reality. Putin is not our friend. He is the enemy of our freedom.”

The not-so-surprising reaction of the US elite has foreshadowed the storm that is about to hit the White House, in which a new round of sanctions against Russia may be launched.