Trump before meeting between Biden and Putin: "Give him my warmest greetings!"

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Ex-US President Trump (archive image): "Good luck for Biden in dealing with President Putin"

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MIKE THEILER / imago images / UPI Photo

Donald Trump's memories of his meeting with Vladimir Putin in Helsinki in 2018 should be shameful.

In a joint press conference, Trump acquitted Russia of the charge of meddling in the 2016 election - and initially publicly opposed the assessments of his secret services.

The incident caused a scandal and even raised Republicans against Trump.

Nevertheless, the former US president now feels called to give his successor tips on how to deal with the Russian head of state.

"Good luck to Biden in dealing with President Putin - do not fall asleep during the meeting, and please give him my warmest greetings!" Trump said in a statement, according to consistent reports.

Biden will meet with Putin in Geneva on Wednesday next week.

In the election campaign, Trump had ridiculed Biden as a "sleepy Joe" with reference to his advanced age.

Trump himself has fond memories of his meeting with Putin in 2018, despite the scandal.

The ex-president announced that he had "a great and very productive meeting" with Putin in Helsinki.

In doing so, the US had gained a lot, "including the respect of President Putin and Russia."

Biden called Trump "Putin's puppy" in the election campaign

During his tenure, Trump was repeatedly accused of courting Putin. In the election campaign, Biden called Trump "Putin's puppy" and announced a more confrontational course towards Moscow. At the start of his first trip to Europe, Biden said on Wednesday that the US was not looking for a conflict with Russia. "We want a stable, predictable relationship." But Biden also made it clear that the Russian government would have to reckon with consequences from the United States in the event of "harmful acts".

On his first trip abroad as US President, Biden is currently in the UK, where he will attend the G7 summit until Sunday.

On Monday he will take part in the NATO summit in Brussels, where a top meeting with EU representatives is on the program the next day.

The eagerly awaited summit meeting of Biden with Putin is scheduled for next Wednesday before the US president returns to Washington.

fek / dpa