Fears over separate Us-russia ‘peace deal’

UK ministers have raised fears of a Us-russian “peace deal” that could undermine western efforts to isolate Vladimir Putin following his interventions in Ukraine and Syria, as well as destabilising tactics across Europe.

It was confirmed on Thursday that the two leaders would meet on 16 July in Helsinki, with the White House saying they will “discuss relations between the United States and Russia and a range of national security issues.”

Downing Street said the meeting was a matter for the two leaders, but one cabinet minister was quoted anonymously warning: “We could see Trump and Putin saying, ‘Why do we have all this military hardware in Europe?’”

At his recent summit with the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Mr Trump made the surprise announcement that US military exercises on the Korean peninsula would end.

Mr Trump called for Russia to be readmitted to the G7 despite continued concern about its aggressive stance. His meeting with Mr Putin in Finland next month will follow what will likely be a tense gathering with Nato allies and follows repeated calls to improve relations with Russia.

“I’ve said it from day one, getting along with Russia and with China and with everybody is a very good thing,” Trump said on Wednesday. “It’s good for the world, it’s good for us, it’s good for everybody.”