For the first time, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump spoke directly to one another in a telephone call on Monday, Nov. 14, according to an official statement released by the Kremlin.
“Russia’s leader once again congratulated Mr. Trump on his victory in the presidential election, wished him success in implementing his campaign platform, and expressed willingness to build a collaborative dialogue with the new administration on the principles of equality, mutual respect, and noninterference in the other’s internal affairs,” the Kremlin’s press release said.
For more on U.S.-Russian relations after Trump, see: America? We Love Those Guys: Russian Propaganda U-Turns on the U.S.
Trump and Putin reportedly discussed the “highly dissatisfactory” state of U.S.-Russian relations, as well as the need to take steps to “normalize” ties and undertake “constructive cooperation on a wide range of issues,” including the fight against international terrorism and extremism. The two men reportedly discussed the armed crisis in Syria, specifically.
The Kremlin says Trump and Putin both agreed to remain in regular telephone contact, and begin planning for a future meeting in person.
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