The meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump in Helsinki ended. Putin and Trump held a joint press conference after the interview.

"The Cold War is a thing in the past"

Speaking at a joint press conference, Putin said that they discussed bilateral relations and issues on the international agenda, saying, "The Cold War is a thing in the past. The situation in the world has changed drastically. There is no objective reason for the difficulties in bilateral relations."

Referring to trade relations between the two countries, Putin said, "We agreed with President Trump to bring together the most important figures of Russian and American trade."

Claims that Russia intervened in US elections

Referring to the allegations that Russia interfered with the 2016 presidential election, Putin underlined that Russia did not interfere with the domestic affairs of the United States and did not intend to interfere. "The Russian state has never interfered and is not going to interfere into American internal affairs including the election process," Putin said. He said, however, that Russia is ready to "analyze" the issue together for through a joint working group on cybersecurity with the U.S.

Syria issue

Recalling that they had consulted the developments in Syria, Putin called for the situation in the Golan Heights to be adapted to the agreement made between Israel and Syria in 1974.

Putin said Russia and the United States could assume the leadership of settlement in Syria and said, "The fulfillment of the task of establishing peace and reconciliation in Syria may be an example of joint successful work between the two countries."

North Stream

Putin also said, "Trump has expressed his concerns about North Stream 2," President Trump expressed his concerns but we said that this transit will continue or even be extended next year."

Iran and the nuclear deal

During his talks, Putin noted that they directly expressed the discomfort that the US has withdrawn from a nuclear deal signed between Iran and the P5 + 1 countries, also known as JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action]. "The US side knows our position very well, our attitude has not changed, Iran is the most controlled country by the International Atomic Energy Agency thanks to the nuclear deal," he said.

Putin jokes ball is in Trump's court, hands over a soccer ball

Putin gifted Trump with a World Cup soccer ball, saying that now the "ball is in your court." Trump threw the ball to his wife Melania.

"I did not even know Trump was in Moscow"

"I hear rumors that we have collected confidential documents during Trump's visit to Moscow, but I did not even know that Trump was in Moscow at the time," Putin said regarding allegations that Russia collected information about Trump's trip to Moscow.

Putin also told Trump that he proposed the establishment of a joint committee of experts in order to find a solution for the bilateral problems.

Putin expressed his view that it would be useful to provide the participation of experienced experts who know the history and nuances of the Russian-US cooperation in the process of establishing long-term bilateral relations.

Trump: Relations with Russia changed for better

US President Donald Trump said during a joint press conference on Monday that his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin is just the start of a stronger dialogue between the United States and Russia.

"We had direct, open, deeply productive dialogue. It went very well," Trump told reporters.

"Constructive dialogue between the United States and Russia afford the opportunity to open new pathways to peace and stability within our world," Trump told reporters.

"Constructive dialogue between the United States and Russia afford the opportunity to open new pathways to peace and stability within our world," Trump told reporters.

US President Donald Trump said that during his Monday meeting with Vladimir Putin in Helsinki the Russian leader had strongly denied any Moscow involvement in the US presidential election.

"I have a great confidence in my intelligence people, but I will tell you that President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today. And what he did is an incredible offer. He offered to have people working on the case come and work with their investigators with respect to the 12 people. I think that's an incredible offer," Trump said.

"Actually I called him a competitor, and a good competitor he is," Trump said when asked about his previous statements about Putin being an adversary and a rival.

Trump: Both Moscow, Washington Responsible for Deterioration of Bilateral Relations

"I hold both countries responsible [for the deterioration of relations]. I think the United States has been foolish. We have all been foolish, we should have had this dialogue a long time ago, a long time frankly before I got to the office ... We have both made some mistakes. I think the [Russia] probe is a disaster for our countries, I think it has kept us apart, separated. There was no collusion at all," Trump said at a press conference following his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki.

He indicated that after the Helsinki summit, the United States had taken a step forward with Russia.

"We are getting together, and we have a chance to do some great things, whether its nuclear proliferation in terms of stopping it," Trump added. (ILKHA)