This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2018/jul/16/trump-putin-summit-helsinki-russia-live

The article has changed 24 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Trump says relations with Russia have 'never been worse' as he prepares to meet Putin in Helsinki – live updates Trump says relations with Russia have 'never been worse' as he prepares to meet Putin in Helsinki – live updates
(35 minutes later)
Newspaper billboards in Helsinki attack the record of both Putin and Trump on free speech.
Huff Post UK reports:
Helsingin Sanomat, one of the country’s top news outlets, unveiled nearly 300 billboards calling out the leaders’ respective records of rocky relations with the media. The billboards were placed along the leaders’ route to the summit.
Aside from the welcome billboard which reads “Mr. President, Welcome to the Land of Free Press,” most of the others feature headlines published in the newspaper over the years, according to a press release.
“The headlines highlight the presidents’ turbulent relations with the media and were published between the years 2000 and 2018,” the statement said.
Editor-in-chief Kaius Nieme also explained that the banners are intended as a display of support for “colleagues who have to fight in ever toughening circumstances on a daily basis both in the U.S. and Russia,” noting that both countries sit pretty far down on the 2018 World Press Freedom Index. Russia is ranked 148 and the U.S. sits at 45. Finland is ranked fourth.
Putin already has the edge in pre-summit posturing by keeping Trump waiting. His plane to Helsinki is reported to be running late.
Looks like Putin will keep Trump waiting. He’s landing about 45 minutes late at 5:47 EST, just about the time he was supposed to be arriving at the Presidential Palace. #HelsinkiSummit
European Council president Donald Tusk has suggested that Trump is spreading fake news by telling CBS that the European Union is a foe of the US.
America and the EU are best friends. Whoever says we are foes is spreading fake news.
Trump is confident of getting on with Putin, he told Piers Morgan for ITV’s Good Morning Britain on board air force one.
Trump accepted that Putin “probably is” a ruthless person, but couldn’t tell yet.
Good Morning Britain quoted him saying: “I don’t know him… I met him a couple of times… I think we could probably get along very well”
'I don’t know him… I met him a couple of times… I think we could probably get along very well'President Trump confessed to @GMB he didn’t know Vladimir Putin well. pic.twitter.com/zQ3GEqre55
Russia’s foreign ministry liked Trump’s tweeted about the dire state of US-Russian relations, notes Amie Ferris-Rotman from the Washington Post.Russia’s foreign ministry liked Trump’s tweeted about the dire state of US-Russian relations, notes Amie Ferris-Rotman from the Washington Post.
Look who liked this tweet. That sets the tone for #HelsinkiSummit pic.twitter.com/fHM0zCpKBOLook who liked this tweet. That sets the tone for #HelsinkiSummit pic.twitter.com/fHM0zCpKBO
Her paper explains that Trump’s tweet echoes Putin’s view that the US — not Russia — is to blame for the poor state of relations between the two countries:Her paper explains that Trump’s tweet echoes Putin’s view that the US — not Russia — is to blame for the poor state of relations between the two countries:
Trump is facing immense pressure to aggressively confront Putin over Russia’s election interference, especially after the Justice Department indicted 12 Russian intelligence officials last Friday and charged them with hacking and stealing Democratic emails, as part of a broad subterfuge operation that U.S. intelligence agencies believe was ordered by Putin to help elect Trump.Trump is facing immense pressure to aggressively confront Putin over Russia’s election interference, especially after the Justice Department indicted 12 Russian intelligence officials last Friday and charged them with hacking and stealing Democratic emails, as part of a broad subterfuge operation that U.S. intelligence agencies believe was ordered by Putin to help elect Trump.
But Trump’s comments Monday were in sync with the argument Putin and his government have long made, which is that the policies of the Obama administration — as well as the investigation into election interference, which Putin repeatedly has denied — inflamed tensions between the to nuclear superpowers.But Trump’s comments Monday were in sync with the argument Putin and his government have long made, which is that the policies of the Obama administration — as well as the investigation into election interference, which Putin repeatedly has denied — inflamed tensions between the to nuclear superpowers.
Trump — who has been reticent to criticize Putin and has said he admires the Russian autocrat’s leadership style and strongman image — will meet with Putin at 1 p.m. here at the Presidential Palace, a neoclassical residence facing Helsinki’s heavily touristed Baltic Sea waterfront.Trump — who has been reticent to criticize Putin and has said he admires the Russian autocrat’s leadership style and strongman image — will meet with Putin at 1 p.m. here at the Presidential Palace, a neoclassical residence facing Helsinki’s heavily touristed Baltic Sea waterfront.
The White House has issued a transcript of Trump’s remarks about last week’s Nato summit during his breakfast meeting in Helsinki with his Finnish counterpart.The White House has issued a transcript of Trump’s remarks about last week’s Nato summit during his breakfast meeting in Helsinki with his Finnish counterpart.
It quotes him saying:It quotes him saying:
Nato has, I think, never been stronger. And it was really – it was a little bit tough at the beginning, and it turned out to be love. It really was a great meeting that we had and brought everybody together, and, I think, very worthwhile ...Nato has, I think, never been stronger. And it was really – it was a little bit tough at the beginning, and it turned out to be love. It really was a great meeting that we had and brought everybody together, and, I think, very worthwhile ...
We had a fantastic meeting a few days ago; some of you were there. It was a very successful meeting. I think Nato has never been more together. People are now agreeing to pay, and we were having a lot of problem with a lot of people not paying, as the President will tell you. And they’re paying, and they’re paying more rapidly. And I think Nato has probably never been stronger than it is today.We had a fantastic meeting a few days ago; some of you were there. It was a very successful meeting. I think Nato has never been more together. People are now agreeing to pay, and we were having a lot of problem with a lot of people not paying, as the President will tell you. And they’re paying, and they’re paying more rapidly. And I think Nato has probably never been stronger than it is today.
So we had a fantastic meeting, and now we’re capping it with being in Finland. And the hospitality has been fantastic.So we had a fantastic meeting, and now we’re capping it with being in Finland. And the hospitality has been fantastic.
Hillary Clinton has questioned Trump’s loyalty to the US in a barbed tweet ahead of the summit.Hillary Clinton has questioned Trump’s loyalty to the US in a barbed tweet ahead of the summit.
Tweeting after the World Cup final when Putin oversaw a thrilling final between France and Croatia, she said: “Great World Cup. Question for President Trump as he meets Putin: Do you know which team you play for?”Tweeting after the World Cup final when Putin oversaw a thrilling final between France and Croatia, she said: “Great World Cup. Question for President Trump as he meets Putin: Do you know which team you play for?”
Great World Cup. Question for President Trump as he meets Putin: Do you know which team you play for?Great World Cup. Question for President Trump as he meets Putin: Do you know which team you play for?
One of Putin’s most vocal opponents, Garry Kasparov, says Trump has already given in to Russia by agreeing to the summit.One of Putin’s most vocal opponents, Garry Kasparov, says Trump has already given in to Russia by agreeing to the summit.
Putin would like normalization of relations & lifting of all sanctions, but knows that's too much too soon, and increasingly out of Trump's hands. He'll get more chaos & division, talk token pseudo-concessions, peace for our time BS. Lots of photos, posturing.Putin would like normalization of relations & lifting of all sanctions, but knows that's too much too soon, and increasingly out of Trump's hands. He'll get more chaos & division, talk token pseudo-concessions, peace for our time BS. Lots of photos, posturing.
Meanwhile, all the US needs from Putin is to NOT give him those things, to not enable him but to deter him. We will see if Trump wants what the US needs this time. Gifting Putin this summit is already a failure.Meanwhile, all the US needs from Putin is to NOT give him those things, to not enable him but to deter him. We will see if Trump wants what the US needs this time. Gifting Putin this summit is already a failure.
Greenpeace activists have attached a banner about global warning on Helsinki’s Kallio Church to coincide with the summit. “Warm out hearts not our planet”, the banner pleaded.Greenpeace activists have attached a banner about global warning on Helsinki’s Kallio Church to coincide with the summit. “Warm out hearts not our planet”, the banner pleaded.
Protesters came out on Sunday to attack both Trump and Putin before the summit.Protesters came out on Sunday to attack both Trump and Putin before the summit.
“Not welcome,” read one sign, held by Hemmo Siponen, showing a cartoon of Trump and Putin embracing. “Fuck you both,” read another carried by two young women.“Not welcome,” read one sign, held by Hemmo Siponen, showing a cartoon of Trump and Putin embracing. “Fuck you both,” read another carried by two young women.
“It doesn’t feel good to have them here,” said Anna Bruun, a civil servant who said she was opposed to “great power politics” playing out in her home city.“It doesn’t feel good to have them here,” said Anna Bruun, a civil servant who said she was opposed to “great power politics” playing out in her home city.
More protestors at #HelsinkiSummit pic.twitter.com/wDPAjiNVdUMore protestors at #HelsinkiSummit pic.twitter.com/wDPAjiNVdU
Trump has left the Mäntyniemi Residence, where he had a breakfast meeting with the President of Finland, Sauli Niinistö.Trump has left the Mäntyniemi Residence, where he had a breakfast meeting with the President of Finland, Sauli Niinistö.
TV footage showed Trump waving to reporters as he left. Next up is the one-to-one meeting with Vladimir Putin.TV footage showed Trump waving to reporters as he left. Next up is the one-to-one meeting with Vladimir Putin.
Breakfast with @niinisto has ended. pic.twitter.com/BtPDrfIRS2Breakfast with @niinisto has ended. pic.twitter.com/BtPDrfIRS2
Ahead of the Helsinki summit, the European council president, Donald Tusk, has warned that it is the responsibility of the major powers to uphold rules-based order, not destroy it and pave the way to war.Ahead of the Helsinki summit, the European council president, Donald Tusk, has warned that it is the responsibility of the major powers to uphold rules-based order, not destroy it and pave the way to war.
Speaking at an EU-China summit in Beijing, Tusk said:Speaking at an EU-China summit in Beijing, Tusk said:
“Today, on the same day as Europe meets China in Beijing, American President Trump and Russian President Putin will talk in Helsinki, we are all aware of the fact that the architecture of the world is changing before our very eyes. And it is our common responsibility to make it a change for the better.“Today, on the same day as Europe meets China in Beijing, American President Trump and Russian President Putin will talk in Helsinki, we are all aware of the fact that the architecture of the world is changing before our very eyes. And it is our common responsibility to make it a change for the better.
Let us remember, here in Beijing, and over there, in Helsinki, that the world we were building for decades, sometimes through disputes, has brought about peace for Europe, the development of China, and the end of the Cold War between the East and the West.”Let us remember, here in Beijing, and over there, in Helsinki, that the world we were building for decades, sometimes through disputes, has brought about peace for Europe, the development of China, and the end of the Cold War between the East and the West.”
“It is a common duty of Europe and China, America and Russia, not to destroy this order, but to improve it. Not to start trade wars, which turned into hot conflicts so often in our history, but to bravely and responsibly reform the rules-based international order.”“It is a common duty of Europe and China, America and Russia, not to destroy this order, but to improve it. Not to start trade wars, which turned into hot conflicts so often in our history, but to bravely and responsibly reform the rules-based international order.”
White House reporter Annie Karni reports from the Hilton Kalastajatorppa in Helsinki:White House reporter Annie Karni reports from the Hilton Kalastajatorppa in Helsinki:
First stop for the president and the first lady today was the Mäntyniemi Residence, for an official greeting by the President of Finland, Sauli Niinistö, and the First Lady of Finland, Jenni Haukio, followed by a breakfast.First stop for the president and the first lady today was the Mäntyniemi Residence, for an official greeting by the President of Finland, Sauli Niinistö, and the First Lady of Finland, Jenni Haukio, followed by a breakfast.
After arriving at the residence they were given what seemed like short tour of the grounds, by Niinistö and the First Lady of Finland.After arriving at the residence they were given what seemed like short tour of the grounds, by Niinistö and the First Lady of Finland.
At a breakfast meeting Trump said: “Nato has, I think, never been stronger. It was a little bit tough at the beginning, but it turned out to be love. I appreciated your support.”At a breakfast meeting Trump said: “Nato has, I think, never been stronger. It was a little bit tough at the beginning, but it turned out to be love. I appreciated your support.”
A reporter asked what was his message to Putin? Trump replied: “We’ll see him a little while....We’ll do just fine.”A reporter asked what was his message to Putin? Trump replied: “We’ll see him a little while....We’ll do just fine.”
On why he picked Helsinki for the summit: “We think Finland’s a great country. We had a fantastic meeting a few days ago, some of you were there, it was a very successful meeting. Nato has never been more together. People are now agreeing to pay. We were having a lot of problems with a lot people not paying, as the president will tell you...They’re paying more rapidly. And it’s probably never been stronger than it is today. We had a fantastic meeting and now we’re capping it with being in Finland. And the hospitality has been fantastic.”On why he picked Helsinki for the summit: “We think Finland’s a great country. We had a fantastic meeting a few days ago, some of you were there, it was a very successful meeting. Nato has never been more together. People are now agreeing to pay. We were having a lot of problems with a lot people not paying, as the president will tell you...They’re paying more rapidly. And it’s probably never been stronger than it is today. We had a fantastic meeting and now we’re capping it with being in Finland. And the hospitality has been fantastic.”
Trump ignored this question: “Will you tell President Putin that election meddling is a red line?”Trump ignored this question: “Will you tell President Putin that election meddling is a red line?”
Trump is having breakfast with the president of Finland where he described the Nato summit as “tough” at first “but it turned out to be love”.Trump is having breakfast with the president of Finland where he described the Nato summit as “tough” at first “but it turned out to be love”.
He has also been tweeting, notably blaming Mueller rather than Russian meddling: “Our relationship with Russia has NEVER been worse thanks to many years of U.S. foolishness and stupidity and now, the Rigged Witch Hunt!”He has also been tweeting, notably blaming Mueller rather than Russian meddling: “Our relationship with Russia has NEVER been worse thanks to many years of U.S. foolishness and stupidity and now, the Rigged Witch Hunt!”
Trump meets Putin at 11.20am UK time with handshakes and photos expected.Trump meets Putin at 11.20am UK time with handshakes and photos expected.
Trump and Putin will hold joint press conference at 2.50pm UK time.Trump and Putin will hold joint press conference at 2.50pm UK time.
Trump leaves Finland at 4.55pm UK time.Trump leaves Finland at 4.55pm UK time.
President Donald Trump has arrived in Helsinki for his high-stakes summit with Vladimir Putin and has already fired off a series of bombastic tweets.President Donald Trump has arrived in Helsinki for his high-stakes summit with Vladimir Putin and has already fired off a series of bombastic tweets.
He said America’s relationship with Russia has never been worse thanks to “many years of US foolishness and stupidity” and the current investigation into Russian meddling in the US election, which he again dismissed as a “rigged witch hunt”.He said America’s relationship with Russia has never been worse thanks to “many years of US foolishness and stupidity” and the current investigation into Russian meddling in the US election, which he again dismissed as a “rigged witch hunt”.
Our relationship with Russia has NEVER been worse thanks to many years of U.S. foolishness and stupidity and now, the Rigged Witch Hunt!Our relationship with Russia has NEVER been worse thanks to many years of U.S. foolishness and stupidity and now, the Rigged Witch Hunt!
Trump also claimed his predecessor Barack Obama “did nothing” about Russian meddling in the election.Trump also claimed his predecessor Barack Obama “did nothing” about Russian meddling in the election.
President Obama thought that Crooked Hillary was going to win the election, so when he was informed by the FBI about Russian Meddling, he said it couldn’t happen, was no big deal, & did NOTHING about it. When I won it became a big deal and the Rigged Witch Hunt headed by Strzok!President Obama thought that Crooked Hillary was going to win the election, so when he was informed by the FBI about Russian Meddling, he said it couldn’t happen, was no big deal, & did NOTHING about it. When I won it became a big deal and the Rigged Witch Hunt headed by Strzok!
And in another tweet he claimed his highly strained meeting with Nato last week was a “great summit”. This comes just hours after he described the European Union as a “foe”.And in another tweet he claimed his highly strained meeting with Nato last week was a “great summit”. This comes just hours after he described the European Union as a “foe”.
Received many calls from leaders of NATO countries thanking me for helping to bring them together and to get them focused on financial obligations, both present & future. We had a truly great Summit that was inaccurately covered by much of the media. NATO is now strong & rich!Received many calls from leaders of NATO countries thanking me for helping to bring them together and to get them focused on financial obligations, both present & future. We had a truly great Summit that was inaccurately covered by much of the media. NATO is now strong & rich!
Note the omission of other keys such as Ukraine, the Salisbury poisoning, Iran, North Korea, and Syria, and the glossing over of Friday’s charges against 12 Russian agents by the US justice department over Kremlin meddling in Trump’s election.Note the omission of other keys such as Ukraine, the Salisbury poisoning, Iran, North Korea, and Syria, and the glossing over of Friday’s charges against 12 Russian agents by the US justice department over Kremlin meddling in Trump’s election.
Ahead of his European trip last week, Trump said his meeting with Putin would be the easy bit in a schedule that involved a Nato meeting and a visit to the UK “in turmoil” after cabinet resignations over Brexit.Ahead of his European trip last week, Trump said his meeting with Putin would be the easy bit in a schedule that involved a Nato meeting and a visit to the UK “in turmoil” after cabinet resignations over Brexit.
Analysts reckon it will be anything but easy whatever Trump says.Analysts reckon it will be anything but easy whatever Trump says.
Simon Tisdall previews today’s Helsinki meeting:Simon Tisdall previews today’s Helsinki meeting:
Within hours of arriving in Europe, Donald Trump was busy insulting America’s closest friends and threatening to dismember Nato. He publicly humiliated Theresa May and did his importunate best to force regime change in Westminster, before halfheartedly apologising. Now he takes his ugly brand of rogue-male politics to Helsinki for a meeting with his best buddy, prominent campaign supporter and fellow narcissist, Russia’s Vladimir Putin. This is an ominous, possibly watershed moment for Europe, full of fear and loathing.Within hours of arriving in Europe, Donald Trump was busy insulting America’s closest friends and threatening to dismember Nato. He publicly humiliated Theresa May and did his importunate best to force regime change in Westminster, before halfheartedly apologising. Now he takes his ugly brand of rogue-male politics to Helsinki for a meeting with his best buddy, prominent campaign supporter and fellow narcissist, Russia’s Vladimir Putin. This is an ominous, possibly watershed moment for Europe, full of fear and loathing.
The Guardian’s editorial predicts that Putin will emerge the winner amid concern about what the result of the summit will mean for the rest of the world.The Guardian’s editorial predicts that Putin will emerge the winner amid concern about what the result of the summit will mean for the rest of the world.
Putin brings experience, preparation, ruthless discipline and actual goals: he is the poker ace facing a man who has mastered only beggar-my-neighbour. So any substantive discussions between the men may be more worrying than the omissions. (Only Mr Trump could make the prospect of “surprising” outcomes in Helsinki sound quite so ominous.) Their shared hostility to Nato, the EU and established US alliances is alarming. And we do not know why Mr Trump wants this meeting, beyond enjoying the spotlight.Putin brings experience, preparation, ruthless discipline and actual goals: he is the poker ace facing a man who has mastered only beggar-my-neighbour. So any substantive discussions between the men may be more worrying than the omissions. (Only Mr Trump could make the prospect of “surprising” outcomes in Helsinki sound quite so ominous.) Their shared hostility to Nato, the EU and established US alliances is alarming. And we do not know why Mr Trump wants this meeting, beyond enjoying the spotlight.