CNN: Trump says Putin meeting 'may be the easiest of them all'
Washington (CNN)President Donald Trump said his easiest meeting on his foreign trip to Europe during the next week may be his sit down with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump spoke to reporters before leaving for the NATO summit in Brussels, the first stop on his trip. He then plans to travel to the United Kingdom where he will hold talks with Prime Minister Theresa May and meet with Queen Elizabeth II. Trump will have his first standalone summit with Putin in Helsinki, Finland, Monday.
"I have NATO. I have the UK, which is in somewhat turmoil. And I have Putin. Frankly, Putin may be the easiest of them all," Trump said Tuesday. "Who would think?"
Later, when asked if he sees Putin as a friend or a foe, Trump said he sees the Russian leader as a "competitor."
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WNU Editor: President Trump .... days before meeting Russian President Putin .... is not going to call Russian President Putin a foe or friend. To do so is bad diplomacy. He called them a competitor, and in today's world that is basically what Russia is.
Update: I am not sure about this, but fascinating if true.... Israeli, Saudi, and Emirati Officials Privately Pushed for Trump to Strike a “Grand Bargain” with Putin (Adam Entous, New Yorker).
More News On President Trump Not Saying If Russian President Putin Is A Friend Or Foe
Trump Refuses to Call Putin a Foe: 'I Really Can't Say Right Now' -- Alertnet
Trump says Putin summit could be 'easiest' stop of European tour, amid NATO tensions -- FOX News
Trump: Putin summit 'may be easier' than NATO, UK visit -- The Hill
Trump says summit with Putin 'may be the easiest' of European meetings -- Politico
Trump Says Seeing Putin Easier Than Meeting Theresa May -- Bloomberg
Trump says summit with Putin ‘may be the easiest’ of European meetings -- Politico
Helsinki summit a chance for Trump to press Putin on non-interference -- Alina Polyakova, Axios
