Politics

Trump, Putin To Meet In Helsinki On July 16

Maine Public | By Associated Press

Published June 28, 2018 at 8:31 AM EDT

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, shakes hands with U.S. National security adviser John Bolton with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the background, in Moscow, Wednesday, June 27, 2018.

MOSCOW - The Kremlin and the White House say the summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. 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.''

Ahead of the announcement, Trump tweeted, "Russia continues to say they had nothing to do with Meddling in our Election!''

Trump has continually parroted the Kremlin's denial of interference in the 2016 elections. That move has put him out of step with the findings of the U.S. intelligence community and nearly all Democrats and Republicans in Congress who say there is clear evidence of Russian efforts to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign.