Donald Trump Meets Russian President Vladimir Putin; Begins Talks

Putin and Trump are expected to discuss the Syrian and Ukrainian conflicts

New Delhi, Jul 16: United States president Donald Trump on Monday met his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin during a one on one meeting in Helsinki. The highly-anticipated meeting has begun in the presence of their respective translators in attendance. Addressing the media, Trump said, “I think we have great opportunities together. Frankly, we have not been getting along very well for the last number of years. I think we will end up having an extraordinary relationship.”

Welcoming Trump, Putin said, “We have a lot of good things to talk about. We have discussions on everything from trade to military to missiles to nuclear to China. We will be talking a little bit about China, our mutual friend, President Xi.”

I think we have great opportunities together. Frankly, we have not been getting along very well for the last number of years. I think we will end up having an extraordinary relationship: US President Donald Trump on meeting Russia President Vladimir Putin pic.twitter.com/fmsCRhYQeJ

— ANI (@ANI) July 16, 2018

We have a lot of good things to talk about. We have discussions on everything from trade to military to missiles to nuclear to China. We will be talking a little bit about China, our mutual friend, President Xi: US President Donald Trump on meeting Russia President Putin pic.twitter.com/qFVbZj86lR

— ANI (@ANI) July 16, 2018

US President Donald Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin sat down in front of the world’s media for brief comments and a handshake before they met alone. Trump also praised the Russian leader’s hosting of the World Cup and the Russian national team’s performance.  Mr Trump did not list election meddling among the topics to be discussed.

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during a one on one meeting in Helsinki (Finland) pic.twitter.com/2zZ55TfpGn

— ANI (@ANI) July 16, 2018

Putin and Trump are expected to discuss the Syrian and Ukrainian conflicts along with accusations against Russia for allegedly meddling in the 2016 presidential election. in the 2016 presidential election.

Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump had met his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto for breakfast. Trump, accompanied by his wife Melania, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other senior US officials, thanked Niinisto for his hospitality as host of the summit and praised his role in the NATO, reports Efe news.

He described the NATO summit, held last week in Brussels, as “tough” at first but that “turned out to be love”.

Asked about his summit with Putin, he had told a reporter: “We’ll be just fine, thank you.”  Shortly ahead of the breakfast meeting, Trump had tweeted saying that his country’s relationship with Russia “has never been worse”, due to allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 US elections.

(With agency inputs)