Putin: US authorities behind “senseless” sanctions against Russia

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Helsinki summit, Finland on July 16. Photo: Reuters

“It is not only about the position of the US president. It is about the position of the so-called ruling elite, which is currently running the United States in the broadest sense of the word,” Putin said.

Responding to a question about his meeting with Mr. Trump in July at a joint press conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto near Sochi on August 22, Putin affirmed: “Regarding our meeting with President Trump, I have a positive assessment and think that the meeting was useful.”

Calling the sanctions “counterproductive and pointless, especially for countries like Russia,” Putin added that he hoped that “the fact that this policy has no future will one day be realized by our American partners and we will start cooperating in a normal way.”

Putin said he and Trump had exchanged views on the most important issues in the Finnish capital, adding that “an exchange of views, direct dialogue is always useful”.

“No one expects that in two hours of negotiations all the issues that have been controversial so far can be resolved,” he affirmed.

Regarding Russia's relations with Europe, Putin expressed hope that “something positive will be done to restore normal Russia-EU relations” in the second half of 2019 when it is Finland's turn to take over the rotating presidency of the European Union.

The Russian president said his talks with Mr Niinisto were “constructive”, while the Finnish leader chose a more flowery word – “sunny” – to describe the Sochi meeting.

The two leaders agreed to boost cooperation on environmental protection and discussed resolving the crises in Syria and Ukraine. Putin supported Niinisto’s proposal to increase flight safety over the Baltic Sea and expressed his commitment to working with Helsinki to promote security and stability in Northern Europe.

He also called Russia a “steadfast supplier of gas” to Europe, adding that the country was ready to compete fairly in the region.