A senior European official on Monday urged U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and China to work with Europe to avoid trade wars and prevent conflict and chaos. Speaking before Trump and Putin were due to meet in Helsinki, European Council President Donald Tusk appealed for leaders to avoid wrecking a political and economic order that nurtured a peaceful Europe and developing China. Tusk spoke at a news conference with China’s No. 2 leader, Premier Li Keqiang, following an annual EU-Chinese economic summit also attended by the president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker. They met amid mounting […]

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have met face-to-face at the Finnish Presidential Palace ahead of 90-minute private talks aimed at rebuilding ties between US and Russia. The US President said he hoped for an ‘extraordinary relationship’ with Moscow before leaning across to shake hands with the Russian leader as the pair sat side-by-side. In opening remarks in Helsinki, Trump praised Russia’s hosting of the World Cup and spoke of ‘great opportunities’ for Washington and Moscow, but admitted the two countries have not been getting along for the past two years. A sombre-looking Putin, who struck a casual pose during Trump’s remarks and slouched in […]