Many are hoping President Donald Trump will “stand up”to Russian President Vladimir Putin in their meeting at the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany.
In interviews with reporters, Trump and Putin were positive about the meetings at the G20 summit.
"President Putin and I have been discussing various things and I think it is going very well," Trump said. "We have had some very, very good talks."
"We are going to have a talk now and obviously that is going to continue," Trump added. "We look forward to a lot of very positive things happening for Russia, and for the United States and for everybody concerned. And it's an honor to be with you."
During the public part of the meeting, Trump didn’t ask Putin about Russia’s 2016 election involvement. He also didn’t answer questions about it. United States intelligence says that Russia deliberately meddled in the election to get Trump elected.
"We have spoken on the phone with you several times on very important bilateral and international issues. But phone conversation are never enough," Putin said.
"If we want to resolve bilateral and acute international issues, we definitely need personal meetings. I'm delighted to be able to meet you in person Mr. President, and I hope -- as you have said -- that our meeting will yield positive results," Putin added.
Still the meetings are likely to have some strained discussions. Trump has criticized Russia’s energy use as a “coercive force” and Russia’s increased military activity near Poland’s borders. Meanwhile, Putin has criticized Trump’s trade policies.
White House officials told CNN that Trump will likely talk to Putin mostly about plans for Syria and Ukraine disputes.
Photo: In this photo provided by the German Government Press Office (BPA) Donald Trump, President of the USA (left), meets Vladimir Putin, President of Russia (right), at the opening of the G20 summit on July 7, 2017 in Hamburg, Germany. The G20 group of nations are meeting July 7-8 and major topics will include climate change and migration.
Photo courtesy: Steffen Kugler/BPA via Getty Images
Publication date: July 7, 2017
