Trump and Putin to meet for the first time: history and expectations

Presidents Trump and Putin are to meet today in Hamburg for the first time after several telephone conversations.

The meeting is to take place during the G20 world summit among an exceptionally complicated atmosphere. Investigations are being held in the US on Russian meddling in the American elections, and the possible Russian ties of the Trump associates.

The day before meeting Putin, Trump said in Warsaw that Russia is seeking to destabilize Eastern Europe and its American allies.

An unprecedented anti-American campaign is being waged in the Russian media. Politicians and diplomats tend to speak with more restraint though. The Russian Foreign ministry said it expects a full-fledged meeting with sides discussing pressing problems like Syria and Ukraine.

This is what the two presidents had to say about each other before:

Trump on Putin

18 April 2016

“He called me a genius… that’s nice…”

 7 September 2016

“…he’s been a leader far more than our president has been a leader…”

 19 March 2017

“Don’t know him but certainly he is a tough cookie…”

 Putin on Trump

17 December 2015

“He is a very colorful person, talented… He has chosen a method that got through to voters’ hearts…”

 4 December 2016

“He could achieve success in business, which suggests that he’s a smart man…”

 1 June 2017

“He can’t be put in the same category as traditional politicians… he’s a person with a fresh view…”

Hamburg is witnessing a violent protest against the summit on the part of globalization opponents. By 7 July, the number of injured policemen had reached 70. The number of arrested protesters is unknown.