Trump-Putin meeting to follow tense NATO talks
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin firmed up plans Thursday to meet in Helsinki next month for a closely watching sit-down that will play out just days after what is likely to be a tense meeting between Trump and some of the United States’ closest allies.
Trump and Putin will meet July 16 against the backdrop of an ongoing special counsel probe into possible ties between the president’s campaign and Russian officials. The investigation into Russian election meddling has raised tensions between Moscow and Washington at a time when Trump has repeatedly said he wants to build a strong personal relationship with Putin.
“We’re looking forward to it. If we could all get along, it would be great. The world has to start getting along,” Trump said during a visit to Wisconsin on Thursday. The day before, he said they would discuss Syria, Ukraine and “many other subjects.”
The summit location and date were announced in synchronized statements from Moscow and Washington, with the White House saying the two presidents will “discuss relations between the United States and Russia and a range of national security issues.”
Trump’s relationship with Putin has long been the source of intrigue, both at home and in world capitals. He has repeatedly praised his authoritarian peer while straining ties with many of the United States’ closest allies.
The timing of Trump’s meeting with Putin will likely do little to ease concerns across Europe. It come at the end of Trump’s weeklong trip to Europe, which begins in Belgium at NATO, an intergovernmental military alliance between 29 North American and European countries that has countering possible Russian aggression at its heart. At a NATO summit last year, Trump scolded leaders for the cost of the gleaming new Brussels headquarters and for not paying enough to support NATO’s defense.
From Brussels, Trump will make his first visit to the United Kingdom since taking office. He will meet with Prime Minister Theresa May but not receive the lavish state welcome he has enjoyed at stops in other foreign capitals. Instead, he is expected to be greeted with significant protests.