President Trump on Friday stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin could attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup being co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico, exhibiting off {a photograph} within the Oval Workplace of the 2 leaders collectively.
Trump hosted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to announce that the World Cup draw shall be held on the Kennedy Heart in December and at one level, he seemed in a drawer of his desk and pulled out {a photograph}.
“I was just sent a picture from somebody that wants to bet here very badly. He’s been very respectful of me and of our country, but not so respectful of others. I’m going to sign this for him. But I was sent one and I thought you all would like to see it. That’s a man named Vladimir Putin,” Trump stated, exhibiting off the {photograph} of him and Putin strolling collectively.
“Who I believe will be coming, depending on what happens. He may be coming and he may not, depending on what happens. We have a lot of things happening over the next couple of weeks. But I thought it was a nice picture of him. Okay of me but nice of him. So that was very nice that it was sent to me, okay,” Trump stated.
Trump did not specify whether or not Putin would attend the video games within the U.S., Canada or Mexico, who’re all co-hosting the World Cup. The U.S. is anticipated to host the vast majority of the greater than 100 soccer video games deliberate.
The {photograph} was taken when the president and Putin met every week in the past in Alaska to debate an finish to the conflict in Ukraine.
Trump on Friday additionally stated he talked to Putin just lately and informed him he wasn’t “happy” a few Russian strike on a U.S. manufacturing unit in Ukraine on Thursday.
“I told him I’m not happy about it. And I’m not happy about anything having to do with that war,” he stated. “I’m not happy at all. We’ll see what happens. I think over the next two weeks, we’re going to find out which way its going to go and I better be very happy.”
The president additionally spoke to Putin earlier within the week when he went into one other room to name him throughout a gathering with European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
After Trump hosted the group on the White Home and referred to as Putin, he stated he would work on a bilateral assembly between Putin and Zelensky. The Russians have since despatched indicators that it intends to slow-walk talks with Ukraine about ending the conflict and expressed doubt about some early prospects of a peace deal.
