FINLAND - Donald Trump has hailed the beginning of what could be an "extraordinary relationship" between America and Russia as he kick-started talks with President Vladimir Putin. The US President is attending his first face-to-face meeting with Russia’s leader. He said: "Most importantly we have a lot of good things to talk about." He added they will talk about "everything from trade to military to missiles to China. We'll be talking a little bit about China. Our mutual friend president Xi."
But hours before the talks, he launched an attack against his own country’s policies, arguing previous administrations have deteriorated relations between Moscow and Washington. He wrote on Twitter: “President Obama thought that Crooked Hillary was going to win the election, so when he was informed by the FBI about Russian Meddling, he said it couldn’t happen, was no big deal, & did NOTHING about it. When I won it became a big deal and the Rigged Witch Hunt headed by Strzok! Our relationship with Russia has NEVER been worse thanks to many years of US foolishness and stupidity and now, the Rigged Witch Hunt!”
The talks, which are being held behind closed doors with just the presidents’ interpreters in the room, haven’t a set agenda. Russia hoped the summit would be "the first step" in overcoming a crisis in relations, he said. The spokesman added: "Presidents Trump and Putin respect each other and they get along well. There is no clear agenda. It will be determined by the heads of state themselves as they go along."