This chat just gives vile Putin credibility

TODAY Russian President Vladimir Putin will be catapulted back from being a despised, wanted war crimes suspect and international pariah to being a significant figure on the world stage again.

- BY CHRIS HUGHES DEFENCE AND SECURITY EDITOR

Russians, worn down by economic woes, the death and injury of more than a million male relatives and growing resentment, will see Putin re-legitimised as he is welcomed by a world leader.

China, Iran and North Korea, allies of Moscow to varying degrees, will also see Putin become a player again after years in exile from the world stage. He has massively played President Trump.

The meeting was supposed to be a result of Putin agreeing to meet Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky but, of course, that was never going to happen.