Trump, with Putin, predicts ‘positive things’ for US, Russia
US President Donald Trump voiced optimism that there are ‘very positive things’ in store for the United States and Russia as he sat down with President Vladimir Putin on Friday for a historic first meeting.
Seated next to Putin in Germany, Trump said it was ‘an honour’ to be with Putin. As journalists were briefly allowed in to witness part of the meeting, Trump said that he and Putin had already held "very, very good talks." "We look forward to a lot of very positive things happening for Russia, for the United States and for everybody Trump said.
With Secretary of State Rex concerned," Tillerson at his side, Trump sat in front of an American flag with his hands clasped together in triangle formation.
Putin, slightly hunched in his chair, rubbed his fingers together as he listened to Trump address reporters. His foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, sat nearby.
Trump offered no details about what issues he and the Russian leader had discussed, describing them only as "various things." Putin was similarly vague, telling reporters through a translator that they were discussing international problems and bilateral issues.
Still, Putin described the fact that they were meeting as a positive sign in itself, and he said he hoped the meeting would "yield positive results."
"Phone conversations are never enough definitely," Putin said. "If you want to have a positive outcome in bilaterals and be able to resolve most international policy issues, that will really need personal meetings."
Then the leaders shook hands firmly but briefly before reporters were escorted out of the room. Trump did not respond to shouted questions about whether they would discuss Russia's meddling in the US election — a topic lawmakers in Washington have been demanding that Trump raise directly.
Both kept their composure amid the commotion of cameras clicking and journalists lobbying questions as anxious aides moved about nearby.