Helsinki Summit HIGHLIGHTS| Trump to Putin: World wants us to get along

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The US and Russian leaders opened an historic summit in Helsinki today, with Donald Trump promising an "extraordinary relationship" and Vladimir Putin saying it was high time to thrash out disputes around the world.

Looking sombre, they exchanged opening remarks in front of the press at the start of their summit in Helsinki.

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."

Follow the updates below:

Here's what is on the table for Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin

(With inputs from AP and AFP)

Updated at:16th Jul, 2018 at 6:41 AM

Summit continues without talk of Russian election meddling

Trump said he and Putin would discuss a range of issues, from trade to the military, along with missiles and China. Not mentioned: Election meddling or Syria.

Trump said last week that he would raise the election-meddling issue with Putin, but said he didn't expect Putin to budge on his denials.

Updated at:16th Jul, 2018 at 6:41 AM

Trump, Putin to discuss ways to normalise bilateral relations

Updated at:16th Jul, 2018 at 6:30 AM

Putin, Trump to hold another bilateral meeting with more aides

Updated at:16th Jul, 2018 at 5:59 AM

Updated at:16th Jul, 2018 at 5:38 AM

Demonstrations against the leaders

While the summit goes on, abortion-rights activists and anti-fascist protesters take to the streets to demonstrate against the two leaders in various landmarks of Helsinki and outside the presidential palace.

Updated at:16th Jul, 2018 at 5:37 AM

Updated at:16th Jul, 2018 at 5:33 AM

Trump and Putin are currently in a one-on-one meeting, with only translators in the room.

Updated at:16th Jul, 2018 at 5:17 AM

At the start of the summit, Trump says that the two countries have "great opportunities" and can have an "extraordinary relationship"

Updated at:16th Jul, 2018 at 5:10 AM

Radio journalist Jamie Dupree provides more updates

Updated at:16th Jul, 2018 at 5:05 AM

Updated at:16th Jul, 2018 at 5:01 AM

President Donald Trump says at the start of his summit with Russia's President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki that he thinks "the world wants to see us get along."

Updated at:16th Jul, 2018 at 4:59 AM

Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet in Helsinki

Updated at:16th Jul, 2018 at 4:55 AM

Trump arrives at Finnish palace

Updated at:16th Jul, 2018 at 4:41 AM

Updated at:16th Jul, 2018 at 4:20 AM

EU official urges Trump, Putin not to destroy global order

Speaking before the summit, European Council President Donald Tusk appealed for leaders to avoid wrecking a political and economic order that nurtured a peaceful Europe and developing China.

Updated at:16th Jul, 2018 at 4:12 AM

Hours before the Helsinki summit, Trump was asked if he would press Putin over Russia's alleged manipulation of the 2016 election that brought the mercurial property tycoon to power. He said only: "We'll do just fine."

Updated at:16th Jul, 2018 at 4:09 AM

Trump attacks prior US administrations 'foolishness' heading into Putin showdown

Trump determined to forge a personal bond with the Kremlin chief, saying only 'stupidity' by prior administrations had brought US-Russian ties to their present low.

Updated at:16th Jul, 2018 at 4:07 AM

Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman has earlier said that he hopes the summit with US President Donald Trump is a "baby step" toward fixing exceptionally bad US-Russian relations.

Updated at:16th Jul, 2018 at 3:59 AM