ISSUES DISCUSSED AT THE SUMMIT …
WEAPONS: Trump described nuclear proliferation as one of the most critical challenges facing humanity. The pair agreed to continue talks towards limiting the numbers of nuclear warheads but no firm agenda or new targets were revealed. Talks under the New START Treaty, which expires in 2021, are expected to continue.
ISRAEL: No specifics given but an agreement made to work to prevent escalating conflict between Israel and Syria and help Israel protect its border.
SYRIA HUMANITARIAN AID: Agreed to work together for peace and reconciliation in Syria, help refugees return home, ease refugee pressure on Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, and therefore ease migration pressures in Europe. Also agreed to use military cargo planes to deliver humanitarian aid to Syria.
NORTH KOREA: Putin praised Trump for his discussions with North Korean leader Kim Jongun and said he was pleased the “Korean Peninsula issue is starting to resolve’’.
WORKING GROUP ON COUNTER-TERRORISM: Putin asked Trump to consider re-establishing a joint working group on counter-terrorism. Trump said the pair continued to work co-operatively and the Americans had been able to warn the Russians about an impending attack in St Petersburg.
IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL: Putin disagreed with Trump’s decision to pull out of the Iran deal, saying: “Thanks to the Iranian nuclear deal, Iran became the most controlled country in the world.’’
UKRAINE: Putin asked Trump to “nudge’’ the Ukrainian leadership as Russia continues to assert its authority over Ukraine. Trump did not agree to lift any economic sanctions implemented as a result of the military action in Ukraine.
ELECTION MEDDLING: Putin admitted he wanted Trump to win but denied interfering in the election. Trump appeared to accept Putin’s denials and said he did not see why Russia was responsible for hacking the Democrats’ computers.
BUSINESS COUNCIL: The two presidents agreed to establish a high-level working group of Russian and American business leaders to advance economic co-operation.