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Trump to May: I'm Tougher on Russia Than Anybody

The US president is currently on a three-day visit to Britain after participating in a NATO Summit in Brussels and before meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki on July 16.
Sputnik

Donald Trump is holding a joint press conference with Theresa May at Chequers. According to the UK prime minister, the US-UK cooperation is broadest and deepest in the world, and this partnership is set to grow.

"This morning President Trump and I visited Sandhurst, where we saw a demonstration of joint working of British and American special forces. Just one example of what is today the broadest, deepest and most advanced security cooperation of any two countries in the world… That partnership is set to grow, with our armies integrating to a level unmatched anywhere," May said, adding that London was going to spend 24 billion pounds (about $31.6 billion) on the US equipment and support over the next decade.

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While speaking about trade prospects, Trump said that Brexit plan was ok with the US, but the two countries should make sure that they can trade together.

"Once the Brexit process is concluded, and, perhaps, the UK has left the EU, I don't know what they are going to do, but whatever you do is okay with me, that's your decision. Whatever you are going to do is okay with us, just make sure we can trade together," Trump said.

May, in her turn, agreed to work together with Trump on an ambitious trade deal.

On criticism of UK Prime Minister May

Commenting on the reports of his criticism of Theresa May, the US president said that these were "fake news."

"I did not criticize the prime minister. I have a lot of respect for the prime minister. Unfortunately, there was the story that was done, which was, you know, generally fine, but it did not put in what I said about the prime minister, and I said tremendous things… It's called fake news," Trump said.

In an interview to the UK Sun newspaper released on Thursday, Trump blasted May's Brexit policy and said the UK prime minister had not listened to his advice on EU departure.

On Upcoming Trump-Putin Summit

Speaking about the upcoming summit Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump said that it would be a tremendous achievement if he and Putin could do something on nuclear proliferation.

"I will be talking about nuclear proliferation. It would be a great thing if we can do it. It's not only us, it's not only Russia and the United States, it's other countries' [matter] also, but we would be the leaders…. I think it would be a tremendous achievement if we could do something on nuclear proliferation," Trump said.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May, in her turn, welcomed the upcoming meeting.

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"I welcome his [Trump's] meeting with President Putin in Helsinki on Monday. We agreed that it is important to engage Russia from the position of strength and unity and we should continue to deter and counter all efforts to undermine our democracies," May said after talks with Trump.

At the same time, Trump said that he had been tougher on Russia than anybody, adding that Moscow probably regrets that he became the president.

"When you look at what we've done in terms of Russia, I guarantee whoever it is in Russia they are saying 'Oh, Jee, do we wish that Trump was not the victor in that election.' We have been far tougher on Russia than anybody," Trump said.

Trump and Putin are due to have a meeting on Monday in Helsinki. Politicians from both countries have expressed their hopes that the meeting would lead to the normalization of bilateral relations and help enhance global security.

On Nord Stream 2 Pipeline

Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is a tragedy, it is bad for Germany, US President Donald Trump said Friday.

"To me, it [Nord Stream 2] is a tragedy… I think it is a horrific thing Germany is doing, I think it is a horrible mistake… I think it is very bad for Germany… and I don't think it is very good for NATO," Trump told reporters.

On Wednesday, Trump stated that Germany was totally controlled by Russia through gas supplies, adding that he found it completely unacceptable that Germany paid billions for Russian gas and planned to build a new pipeline Nord Stream 2, while the United States should defend it as an ally in NATO, spending on defense disproportionately more than Berlin.

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