'Great guy' Putin had 'good meeting' with Trump - hopes to turn the page and move forward

RT
Sun, 30 Jun 2019 12:06 UTC

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Presidents Trump and Putin meet at G20

Though exact details of the G20 meeting between the US president Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin have not been revealed, each head of state appeared quite satisfied with what came out of it.

Not sparing his words, Trump said on Saturday that he'd had a "great" and "excellent" meeting with his Russian counterpart a day earlier. He mentioned that the pair discussed trade and that he thinks the "two great countries" should work towards better economic cooperation.

Risking a further meltdown for Russiagate adherents and describing Putin in more colorful detail, Trump called him a "great guy" and a "terrific person."

For his part, Putin said the closed-door conversation was as a "good meeting, business-like, pragmatic" and said that the pair agreed that bilateral economic ties should be strengthened.

"I think we both understand that we need to somehow resolve the current situation," Putin said. Both nuclear powers, he argued, needed to "somehow find the strength to turn the page and move forward."

Putin also extended an invitation to Trump to come to Moscow next May to attend commemorations marking 75 years since the defeat of Nazi Germany. Trump told reporters that he would give the offer "very serious consideration."

The pair seemed to be comfortable enough with one another to share a few light-hearted moments - even as cameras were rolling. When the pair appeared before the press on Friday, Trump joked to Putin about the swarm of photographers in the room, describing the situation as "like the Academy Awards" and "stupid."

The two leaders shared another playful moment, after a reporter asked if Trump would press Putin about alleged interference in the 2020 elections. Trump then pointed to his Russian counterpart and instructed: "Don't meddle in the elections, please." Putin then cracked a smile.

Comment: From FRN: Trump says there MUST be trade between Russia and US

US President Donald Trump commented on his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which was held on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Japan's Osaka, with 'great, positive results.

'"I think he is a great guy. I think we had a great meeting, "said the US President to the columnist for the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company, Pavel Zarubin.

According to Trump, he and Vladimir Putin have achieved a lot, they began to discuss trade.

"We must have trade - between Russia and the United States, two great countries. Yesterday was a great meeting. He is an extraordinary man. Thank you very much," said the President of the United States.

The ex-President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko was apparently very upset that Trump did not consult with Kiev before negotiations with Putin, though had their been a private consultation he would not have been privy to it.

From RFE/RL: Putin: US-Russia to resume nuclear arms talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he and his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, have ordered their foreign ministers to begin consultations on nuclear arms control.

Speaking after the Group of 20 summit in Osaka, Japan, on June 29, Putin stressed that "we cannot yet say whether this will lead to an extension of New START treaty," referring to a 2010 arms-control agreement that is due to expire in 2021 unless the two countries agree on an extension.

Trump spoke with journalists separately the same day and said of his talks with Putin: "We talked a lot about arms control."

According to the White House statement released after their meeting, Trump and Putin did discuss the question of the treaty.

"The Presidents agreed the two countries will continue discussion on a 21st century model of arms control, which President Trump stated as needing to include China," the statement said.

Trump administration officials have signaled they want to negotiate a new treaty that includes China.