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The US leader touched down at Helsinki airport at 8.55pm local time (6.55pm BST), on Sunday evening, and was greeted on the runway by the US Ambassador to Finland Robert Pence.

Speaking ahead of his meeting with Mr Putin on Monday morning, President Trump said he had “low expectations” for the encounter, but noted “maybe some good” will come from it.

The President nevertheless underlined the importance of holding bilateral meetings with global leaders, including Mr Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

The Republican firebrand said: “I think it’s a good thing to meet. I do believe in meetings. I believe that having a meeting with Chairman Kim was a good thing.

“I think having meetings with the President of China was a very good thing. I believe it’s really good.