IN PICS: Trump and Putin start off their historic summit with hope of 'extraordinary relationship'

US President Donald Trump (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin arrive for a meeting in Helsinki, on July 16, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Brendan Smialowski

US President Donald Trump and Russian strongman Vladimir Putin, on Monday opened a historic summit in Helsinki with their historic ‘hand-shake’./ Image: ANI

"I think we have great opportunities together. Frankly, we have not been getting along very well for the last number of years. I think we will end up having an extraordinary relationship": US President Donald Trump on meeting Russia President Vladimir Putin

Trump started off with promising an "extraordinary relationship" and Vladimir Putin said it was high time to thrash out disputes around the world. / AFP PHOTO / Brendan Smialowski

While Trump acclaimed the meeting's potential, Putin said: "The time has come to talk in a substantive way about our relations and problem areas of the world."/ AFP PHOTO / Brendan Smialowski

I would like to congratulate you on a very great world cup (#FifaWorldCupRussia), one of the best ever: US President Donald Trump to Russia President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, said Donald Trump to Putin/ AFP PHOTO / Brendan Smialowski