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The two leaders shake hands at the opening of the summit in Vietnam on February 27, 2019. REUTERS / Leah Millis

Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un met this Wednesday, February 27 in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi. This second meeting in eight months lasted about thirty minutes. A brief press conference was held before a dinner between the two leaders accompanied by their advisers. On Thursday, the two heads of state must meet face-to-face.

" Excellent meeting and dinner with Kim Jong-un in Hanoi, Vietnam, tonight, " the US president wrote on Twitter at the end of the first day of the summit . Earlier in a brief press conference prior to their small-party dinner at the Sofitel Legend Metropole, he said the summit would be a " success ".

" I think your country has tremendous economic potential, unbelievable, unlimited ," Donald Trump told the North Korean leader in front of the photographers. I believe your country will have a great future, a great leader. I hope that I would witness it and that I could contribute to it. We will help to make this happen . "

Wearing his traditional Mao-style outfit, the strong man from Pyongyang pledged himself, after a long handshake, to do his best to achieve " great results that will be welcomed by all ". " The last eight months have required a lot of effort and endurance and a lot of patience has been needed, more than usual. I am confident there will be great results, what everyone wants, and I will do my best to make it happen . "

Donald Trump, who dreams of succeeding where his predecessors failed, has been under pressure since the Singapore meeting. The latter gave birth to a vague statement on the "denuclearization of the Korean peninsula" but nothing concrete about the disarmament of the country ruled with an iron fist by the Kim dynasty.

The two leaders will meet face-to-face Thursday, second and last day of this summit in the Vietnamese capital, before continuing discussions with their advisers, announced the White House. Then there is a " Joint Agreement Signing Ceremony ", without further details, and a press conference before Mr. Trump's departure for Washington.

Neither of the two leaders gave precise indications of concrete progress that could be announced on Thursday.

(with dispatches)