London: Donald Trump wants to come out of his meeting with Vladimir Putin and declare they are “buddies”, says a senior member of the advance team preparing the meeting.

Dr Jan Halper-Hayes, London-based former President of Republicans Overseas, said Trump was going to approach his summit with Vladimir Putin in two weeks’ time exactly the same as he did with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un last month.

“He is going to go in to develop a relationship first,” said Halper-Hayes, who was also a member of the Trump transition team before his inauguration.

US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin are due to meet next week. Credit:AP

There have been fears that Trump would make a gesture of goodwill after the meeting that would undermine his allies, such as recognising the annexation of Crimea, or lessening the US military presence in eastern Europe.