Trump and Putin to meet in Helsinki in July to discuss international issues

This will be the first formal one-on-one meeting between the two leaders

(FILES) In this file photo taken on July 7, 2017, US President Donald Trump and Russia's President Vladimir Putin shake hands during a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany. A long-awaited summit between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin will take place in Helsinki on July 16, the Kremlin said in a statement. "An agreement has been reached that on July 16 in Helsinki there will be a meeting between the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and the President of the United States Donald Trump," the statement said.
 / AFP / SAUL LOEB
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US President Trump will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland at the end of July, the Kremlin said June 28.

The White House also confirmed the summit, where the two leaders will discuss US-Russia relations and international issues, will be held on July 16.

"The two leaders will discuss relations between the United States and Russia and a range of national security issues," the White House said in a statement.

"An agreement has been reached that on July 16 in Helsinki there will be a meeting between the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and the President of the United States Donald Trump," a statement from Kremlin said.

Relations between the two countries have been strained by allegations of political meddling, disagreement over Syria, and Russia's annexation of Crimea.

Earlier today President Trump tweeted he does not believe claims Russia interfered in the US general election in 2016, positioning his view apart from the US intelligence community, and most Democrats and Republicans:

President Trump said on Wednesday June 27 that a meeting would likely take place after meeting of NATO leaders on July 11-12.

"I've said it from day one, getting along with Russia and with China and with everybody is a very good thing," Trump said Wednesday. "It's good for the world. It's good for us. It's good for everybody."

He said they would discuss Syria, Ukraine and "many other subjects."

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The Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo are expected to meet in the next two weeks to set the stage for the summit.

The two leaders have met briefly on the sidelines of international summits, but this will be the first formal one-on-one meeting.