Trump, Putin to meet in Helsinki on July 16

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and US National security adviser John Bolton greet each other as Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (center) looks at them during the meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia on June 27, 2018. AP

MOSCOW —  The Kremlin and the White House say the summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump will take place in Helsinki on July 16.

The synchronized announcement comes a day after Trump’s National Security Adviser John Bolton held talks with Russian officials in Moscow to lay the groundwork for the summit.

Trump said Wednesday that “getting along with Russia and with China and with everybody is a very good thing.” He said they would discuss Syria, Ukraine and “many other subjects.”

The Russian leader had two brief meetings with Trump on the sidelines of international summits last year, but plans for a full-fledged summit have been thrown back amid the US investigations into alleged collusion between Trump’s campaign and Russia.

Moscow says the top Russian and US diplomats are likely to meet to set the stage for a summit between President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.

Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is likely to meet with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo within two weeks. Ryabkov said in remarks carried by Russian news agencies Thursday that Moscow already has made a proposal regarding the specifics of the meeting and is waiting for Washington’s answer.

Trump told reporters that he’ll probably meet with Putin during a July trip to Europe. He mentioned Helsinki, Finland, and Vienna, Austria, as possible venues, adding that he would be receiving an update from his adviser, John Bolton, who visited Moscow Wednesday to lay the groundwork for the summit. /ee