Move FM Global News

TOKYO, Japan – U.S. President Donald Trump has said that he expects to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin during his 13-day Asia trip. 

The possibility of a meeting between the two world leaders comes as a critical probe in the U.S. over the involvement of the Russian government in Trump’s campaign intensifies.

According to reports, Trump, aboard Air Force One, said, “I think it’s expected that we’ll meet with Putin, yes. We want Putin’s help on North Korea and we’ll be meeting with a lot of different leaders.” 

When asked if the North Korean leader Kim Jon Un would test another missile while Trump was in Asia, he said, “We’ll soon find out. Good luck!”

The meeting, which will happen on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Vietnam, would be their second since he has become President.

The meeting also comes at a time when questions are being raised about Russians meddling in the 2016 elections and also if anyone from the Trump camp had connections with the Russians. 

Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his deputy Rick Gates were indicted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller less than a week before Trump left for his trip. 

Last week, Trump campaign foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about him attempting to organise meetings between the campaign staff and Russians.

On Friday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov said that a meeting between the two leaders was on the cards. Peskov confirmed, “It is hard to overestimate the importance and significance of any contact between the president of Russia and the United States for all international matters.”

Trump’s first stop in his 13-day trip is Tokyo. 

Reports stated that after touching down in Tokyo, Trump addressed troops at Yokota Air Base. 

He said, “Japan is a treasured partner and crucial ally of the United States, and today we thank them for welcoming us and for decades of wonderful friendship between our two nations.”