Donald Trump says he hopes for an "extraordinary relationship" with Russia as he meets Vladimir Putin in Helsinki.
As the leaders locked eyes over the small table separating them, Trump, 72, gave the Russian president a cheeky wink.
Speaking to the press before the pair held a one-on-one meeting, Trump said: “I’d like to congratulate you on a really great World Cup. One of the best ever from what everybody tells me and also for your team, itself, doing so well.”
Trump went on to say he wanted good relations with Russia and blamed Washington's own "foolishness and stupidity" for the hostile ties.
He added: "I've been saying... that getting along with Russia is a good thing not a bad thing.
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.
