New Delhi:
US President Donald Trump on Thursday cancelled his scheduled meeting with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the upcoming G-20 summit in Argentina, where world leaders have been arriving to discuss several key issues, including a trade war between the US and China, a new Noth American trade deal and the conflict in Ukraine. Trump cited the detention of a group of Ukrainian sailors as the reason behind scrapping the long-awaited meet.
Taking to his official Twitter handle, Trump wrote, "Based on the fact that the ships and sailors have not been returned to Ukraine from Russia, I have decided it would be best for all parties concerned to cancel my previously scheduled meeting in Argentina with President Vladimir Putin".
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Based on the fact that the ships and sailors have not been returned to Ukraine from Russia, I have decided it would be best for all parties concerned to cancel my previously scheduled meeting....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 29, 2018
"I look forward to a meaningful Summit again as soon as this situation is resolved!" the United States president wrote.
....in Argentina with President Vladimir Putin. I look forward to a meaningful Summit again as soon as this situation is resolved!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 29, 2018
Ahead of G-20 summit in Argentina, heads of state from India, Italy, Canada, South Korea, Singapore Turkey and others reached the country, joining the French president and Saudi crown prince who arrived the previous day.
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The meeting could be a defining moment for the Group of 20, for better or for worse, said Thomas Bernes of the Centre for International Governance Innovation, a Canada-based think tank focusing on global governance.
Trump, who has been criticised for being soft on Putin, has been under pressure to punish Russia for attacking Ukrainian ships and capturing their sailors.
