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| Trump tells Putin at Helsinki summit: 'I really think the world wants to see us get along' – live updates | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Reporters have gathered for the press conference and were just warned it will begin in two minutes. | |
| Several American print reporters are on the floor for the presser. The rest of us are in the balcony. Nice view: pic.twitter.com/roXBdtwoIb | |
| At presidential palace awaiting Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. pic.twitter.com/mVtJXas8PC | |
| Trump, Putin and their aides gathered for lunch in the Hall of Mirrors, once the emperor’s throne room, following the one-on-one meeting. | |
| That meeting lasted more than two hours, though the White House allotted 1.5 hours for the meeting in its schedule for Monday. | |
| There was also a delay because Putin arrived late to his meeting with Trump. | |
| All of this has pushed back the press conference, which was scheduled to begin 40 minutes ago. Reporters in Helsinki are antsy: | |
| It’s getting a bit chaotic as non-big US network TV crews get impatient. pic.twitter.com/gE4GOunJel | |
| The Guardian’s Washington DC bureau chief, David Smith, is huddled with the press in Helsinki and the press conference delay is a good opportunity to read his report on the summit from this morning, if you missed it: | |
| A former US defense secretary under Barack Obama, Chuck Hagel, said he was worried because there was not a clear “strategic purpose” for the one-on-one meeting between Trump and Putin. | A former US defense secretary under Barack Obama, Chuck Hagel, said he was worried because there was not a clear “strategic purpose” for the one-on-one meeting between Trump and Putin. |
| “What is the point?” Hagel, a former republican senator, asked on Monday morning. | “What is the point?” Hagel, a former republican senator, asked on Monday morning. |
| “Let’s understand something: the interests of any nation are far bigger than any one leader,” Hagel told NPR on Monday morning. “The interests of America are not the interests that president Trump defines them to be, or he decides that they are the priority or specific interest, or thinks they are or says they are.” | “Let’s understand something: the interests of any nation are far bigger than any one leader,” Hagel told NPR on Monday morning. “The interests of America are not the interests that president Trump defines them to be, or he decides that they are the priority or specific interest, or thinks they are or says they are.” |
| Hagel said he supports engagement with world powers but those meetings are “all about a strategic purpose.” | Hagel said he supports engagement with world powers but those meetings are “all about a strategic purpose.” |
| “What is the point? Is this just a golf date – with another leader?” Hagel said. “This is not a transactional issue like a real estate deal or an Apprentice-like show business appearance. There has to be preparation.” | “What is the point? Is this just a golf date – with another leader?” Hagel said. “This is not a transactional issue like a real estate deal or an Apprentice-like show business appearance. There has to be preparation.” |
| When NPR asked Hagel what he expected to come out of this meeting, Hagel said: “I don’t know what has gone into it to start with. What was the point? The strategic purpose of going into it? He [Trump] went into it this very weakened because of a divided alliance that he actually perpetuated as well as a divided country.” | When NPR asked Hagel what he expected to come out of this meeting, Hagel said: “I don’t know what has gone into it to start with. What was the point? The strategic purpose of going into it? He [Trump] went into it this very weakened because of a divided alliance that he actually perpetuated as well as a divided country.” |
| Trump’s full quote after the one-on-one meeting: “I think it’s a good start. Very, very good start for everybody.” | Trump’s full quote after the one-on-one meeting: “I think it’s a good start. Very, very good start for everybody.” |
| And more from the pool report: | And more from the pool report: |
| The Russian and American delegations were seated across the table – dressed with a white table cloth, wine glasses, and china – and sitting in complete silence when we entered. Putin sat directly across from Trump. Trump was flanked by Pompeo and his translator. | The Russian and American delegations were seated across the table – dressed with a white table cloth, wine glasses, and china – and sitting in complete silence when we entered. Putin sat directly across from Trump. Trump was flanked by Pompeo and his translator. |
| White House pool reporter Annie Karni said Trump responded to one shouted question following his one-on-one meeting with Putin. Trump said the meeting was a “very good start,” per the pool report. | White House pool reporter Annie Karni said Trump responded to one shouted question following his one-on-one meeting with Putin. Trump said the meeting was a “very good start,” per the pool report. |
| Karni said a White House spokesperson would not confirm that the meeting lasted two hours and ten minutes, as others are reporting. | Karni said a White House spokesperson would not confirm that the meeting lasted two hours and ten minutes, as others are reporting. |
| After their one-on-one meeting, Presidents Trump and Putin and delegation members sat down to lunch in the Hall of Mirrors. Asked how their meeting went, "very good start," said Pres Trump. (Pool photo by @anniekarni) pic.twitter.com/KVhwNhihob | After their one-on-one meeting, Presidents Trump and Putin and delegation members sat down to lunch in the Hall of Mirrors. Asked how their meeting went, "very good start," said Pres Trump. (Pool photo by @anniekarni) pic.twitter.com/KVhwNhihob |
| CNN are showing footage of Trump and Putin sitting down for a very late lunch flanked by six aides each. | CNN are showing footage of Trump and Putin sitting down for a very late lunch flanked by six aides each. |
| As expected on Trump’s side were US ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman; US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo; White House chief of staff, John Kelly; national security adviser, John Bolton; and Russia expert and Trump adviser, Fiona Hill. | As expected on Trump’s side were US ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman; US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo; White House chief of staff, John Kelly; national security adviser, John Bolton; and Russia expert and Trump adviser, Fiona Hill. |
| Putin’s six aides included his spokesman Dmitry Petrov and foreign minister Sergei Lavrov. | Putin’s six aides included his spokesman Dmitry Petrov and foreign minister Sergei Lavrov. |
| It’s just 4.25pm in Helsinki and the two leaders still haven’t had lunch, as the Putin-Trump one-to-one meeting goes into its third hour. | It’s just 4.25pm in Helsinki and the two leaders still haven’t had lunch, as the Putin-Trump one-to-one meeting goes into its third hour. |
| White House pool reporter Tessa Berenson has this update: | White House pool reporter Tessa Berenson has this update: |
| Pool was just informed Trump and Putin’s 1:1 meeting is still going, meaning it’s pushing 2 hours | Pool was just informed Trump and Putin’s 1:1 meeting is still going, meaning it’s pushing 2 hours |
| Another pool reporter Annie Karni added: | Another pool reporter Annie Karni added: |
| At 4 pm, we were herded into a coat check area to clear the way for the exit of the President of Finland. | At 4 pm, we were herded into a coat check area to clear the way for the exit of the President of Finland. |
| He had been here to welcome the two visiting leaders — he welcomed Putin first, earlier today, and then Trump when he arrived. | He had been here to welcome the two visiting leaders — he welcomed Putin first, earlier today, and then Trump when he arrived. |
| Now that he’s gone, we’re back on the patio awaiting lunch to start. | Now that he’s gone, we’re back on the patio awaiting lunch to start. |
| The White House said lunch might be later and that it will let us know how long the one-on-one lasted. | The White House said lunch might be later and that it will let us know how long the one-on-one lasted. |
| China has filed a complaint against the US at the World Trade Organization after Donald Trump’s threats to place tariffs on an additional $200bn (£150bn) worth of Chinese goods. | China has filed a complaint against the US at the World Trade Organization after Donald Trump’s threats to place tariffs on an additional $200bn (£150bn) worth of Chinese goods. |
| The one-sentence announcement by the ministry of commerce comes less than a week after the US president called for a second round of tariffs on China, in retaliation for Chinese tariffs placed on American goods. | The one-sentence announcement by the ministry of commerce comes less than a week after the US president called for a second round of tariffs on China, in retaliation for Chinese tariffs placed on American goods. |
| On 6 July, the US imposed 25% tariffs on $34bn in Chinese goods, prompting Beijing to hit back with levies on the same amount of US exports to China. In response, the White House last week released a wide-ranging list of Chinese goods, from tobacco to pet food, worth $200bn it would target with a 10% tariffs. Beijing said it would “fight back as usual” and would file a complaint with the WTO. | On 6 July, the US imposed 25% tariffs on $34bn in Chinese goods, prompting Beijing to hit back with levies on the same amount of US exports to China. In response, the White House last week released a wide-ranging list of Chinese goods, from tobacco to pet food, worth $200bn it would target with a 10% tariffs. Beijing said it would “fight back as usual” and would file a complaint with the WTO. |
| Trump said China and “our mutual friend President Xi” would be one of the key issues at his summit with Vladimir Putin. | Trump said China and “our mutual friend President Xi” would be one of the key issues at his summit with Vladimir Putin. |
| The Putin Trump tete-a-tete has been going on for almost two hours, an Finnish official told AP. It had been expected to last for 90 minutes at most. Extra time and penalties? | The Putin Trump tete-a-tete has been going on for almost two hours, an Finnish official told AP. It had been expected to last for 90 minutes at most. Extra time and penalties? |
| Per Finnish official: Trump-Putin one-on-one meeting still ongoing, approaching two hours | Per Finnish official: Trump-Putin one-on-one meeting still ongoing, approaching two hours |
| There have been more anti-Trump and anti-Putin protests in Helsinki, with some dressed as Margaret Atwood-inspired handmaids demanding the release of members of Pussy Riot who were arrested on Sunday after invading the pitch at the World Cup final in Moscow. | There have been more anti-Trump and anti-Putin protests in Helsinki, with some dressed as Margaret Atwood-inspired handmaids demanding the release of members of Pussy Riot who were arrested on Sunday after invading the pitch at the World Cup final in Moscow. |
| AP reports: | AP reports: |
| Abortion-rights activists dressed up Monday in bulging bellies and Trump masks. Anti-fascist protesters carried signs with expletive-laden insults. Free traders, anti-war Ukrainians, environmentalists and rainbow flag-waving gay rights supporters all vied for attention from the world’s media. | Abortion-rights activists dressed up Monday in bulging bellies and Trump masks. Anti-fascist protesters carried signs with expletive-laden insults. Free traders, anti-war Ukrainians, environmentalists and rainbow flag-waving gay rights supporters all vied for attention from the world’s media. |
| In a city proud to defend the right to protest, demonstrators were scattered about. Some stayed at barriers erected by police to try to register their complaints as the world leaders sped by in armor-plated vehicles for their summit at Finland’s presidential palace. | In a city proud to defend the right to protest, demonstrators were scattered about. Some stayed at barriers erected by police to try to register their complaints as the world leaders sped by in armor-plated vehicles for their summit at Finland’s presidential palace. |
| Others marched by Helsinki landmarks, far away from the leaders’ gathering but in clear view of curious residents and tourists. | Others marched by Helsinki landmarks, far away from the leaders’ gathering but in clear view of curious residents and tourists. |
| At the city’s Senate Square, about 20 male “pregnant Trumps” and 20 women wearing pink gags railed against a Trump order reinstating what critics call a “global gag rule” that bans providing federal money to international family-planning groups that perform abortions or provide information about them. | At the city’s Senate Square, about 20 male “pregnant Trumps” and 20 women wearing pink gags railed against a Trump order reinstating what critics call a “global gag rule” that bans providing federal money to international family-planning groups that perform abortions or provide information about them. |
| Another march that drew hundreds of people was a mishmash of messages some supporting German Chancellor Angela Merkel and some shouting “Fascists go home!” Some marchers questioned the legitimacy of Trump’s election victory since he lost the popular vote. Another sign read: “A woman’s place is in the Resistance.” | Another march that drew hundreds of people was a mishmash of messages some supporting German Chancellor Angela Merkel and some shouting “Fascists go home!” Some marchers questioned the legitimacy of Trump’s election victory since he lost the popular vote. Another sign read: “A woman’s place is in the Resistance.” |
| “I don’t think the two people meeting today are going to care whether we are here or not, frankly,” said Helsinki protesters Tina Aspiala, 43. “It’s more of a global solidarity against a lot of things that are messed up, and I think that that’s why it’s worth coming out.” | “I don’t think the two people meeting today are going to care whether we are here or not, frankly,” said Helsinki protesters Tina Aspiala, 43. “It’s more of a global solidarity against a lot of things that are messed up, and I think that that’s why it’s worth coming out.” |
| Some marchers had professionally designed banners while others scrawled slogans like “Not Welcome” onto homemade posters or warned of a looming apocalypse. | Some marchers had professionally designed banners while others scrawled slogans like “Not Welcome” onto homemade posters or warned of a looming apocalypse. |
| On Sunday, 1,500 people marched through the city to promote human and sexual rights, democracy and environmental issues. | On Sunday, 1,500 people marched through the city to promote human and sexual rights, democracy and environmental issues. |
| Here’s what Putin wants to talk about, according to the Russian embassy in the US: “ways to normalise bilateral relations, as well as current international issues, primarily the situation in Ukraine, Syria and the Korean Peninsula, and the fight against terrorism.” | Here’s what Putin wants to talk about, according to the Russian embassy in the US: “ways to normalise bilateral relations, as well as current international issues, primarily the situation in Ukraine, Syria and the Korean Peninsula, and the fight against terrorism.” |
| None of these issues were mentioned by Trump in his opening remarks. | None of these issues were mentioned by Trump in his opening remarks. |
| Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump will discuss ways to normalise bilateral relations, as well as current international issues, primarily the situation in Ukraine, Syria and the Korean Peninsula, and the fight against terrorism. pic.twitter.com/msuboPmAdA | Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump will discuss ways to normalise bilateral relations, as well as current international issues, primarily the situation in Ukraine, Syria and the Korean Peninsula, and the fight against terrorism. pic.twitter.com/msuboPmAdA |
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