FINLAND – U.S. President Donald Trump sat down with Vladimir Putin for along-awaited summit on Monday saying he wanted good relations with Russia,after blaming Washington’s own past “foolishness and stupidity” for thecountries’ hostile ties.

“I’ve been saying, and I’m sure you’ve heard over the years…that gettingalong with Russia is a good thing not a bad thing,” Trump said, seated nextto Putin at the start of talks in an ornate presidential palace in neutralFinland.