Our fault — Trump on Russia

HELSINKI: Hours before he was due to sit down for his first summit with Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump blamed ‘‘U.S. foolishness’’ for bad relations between Washington and Moscow, while the Kremlin said it expected a tough meeting.

Trump’s comments show how much domestic political pressure he is under over the meeting in the Finnish capital Helsinki, while the Kremlin’s low expectations reflect its belief that the fact the summit is even happening is a Russian win.

Critics and his own advisers have urged Trump to use the summit to press Putin hard about election meddling and other ‘‘malign’’ activities.

But hours before he was due to meet the Russian president, Trump focused his ire on his own country and the investigation into possible links between his 2016 campaign and Russia.

The president has denied any collusion took place.

‘‘Our relationship with Russia has never been worse thanks to many years of US foolishness and stupidity and now, the Rigged Witch Hunt!’’ wrote Trump on Twitter, referring to the investigation into possible collusion.

During a breakfast meeting with Finland’s president before the meeting with Putin, Trump appeared upbeat. Asked what he would say to Putin, Trump said: ‘‘We’ll do just fine, thank you.’’

The two leaders will first meet oneonone with only their interpretors, followed by a

working lunch accompanied by advisers, and a joint news conference.

While Trump has been abroad since last week, the special prosecutor investigating allegations that Russia interfered to help him win the 2016 presidential election indicted 12 Russians on Friday for stealing Democratic Party documents.

Trump’s foes at home have been scathing about his apparent refusal to criticise Putin.

His 2016 opponent Hillary Clinton tweeted: ‘‘Great World Cup. Question for President Trump as he meets Putin: Do you know which team you play for?’’

Neither side expects major breakthroughs from the talks and the outcome is uncertain given sharp differences between Washington and Moscow over everything from Syria to Ukraine.

For Putin, the fact that the summit is even happening despite Russia’s semipariah status among some Americans and US allies is a geopolitical win because, in Russian eyes, it shows that Washington recognises Moscow as a great power that cannot be isolated or ignored. — Reuters