Trump-Putin summit brings end to frosty US-Russia relations

Two leaders praise 'very fruitful' round of closed-door talks held in the Finnish capital Helsinki.


President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump have committed to improving relations between the United States and Russia, with Putin saying there was no longer any reason for tensions between the superpowers.

The two leaders met in the Finnish capital Helsinki on Monday to talk about "everything from trade to military to missiles to China".

"There are no objective reasons for difficulties [between Russia and the US]. The Cold War is a thing of the past, the situation in the world has drastically changed," said Putin.

Earlier, Trump blamed his own country's past "foolishness and stupidity" for the two powers' hostile relations.

At a press conference following the summit, Trump praised their "direct, open and deeply productive dialogue" and emphasised the need for continued diplomacy over confrontation.

"A productive dialogue is not only good for the United States and good for Russia, but it is good for the world," he said.

"Our relationship has never been worse than it is now, however that changed as of about four hours ago... To refuse to engage would not accomplish anything."

International security
Putin said the two countries would need to work together to cope with challenges such as terrorism, international crime, the economy and the environment, while pointing to counterterrorism and cybersecurity as areas in which they are already doing so.

"As major nuclear powers, we bear special responsibility for maintaining international security," he said.

Putin said the US and Russia could collaborate to "establish peace and reconciliation" in Syria, with Trump adding by working together to end the conflict, the US and Russia could "save hundreds of thousands of lives".

The two leaders also committed to securing Israel's border with Syria in accordance with the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement between Israel and Syria.

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