The Kremlin could hold talks with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump before his official inauguration, presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has confirmed.
Speaking in an interview with Russian tabloid Moskovsky Komsomolets, Peskov refused to rule out the possibility that the Kremlin could reach out to Trump before he takes office in January 2017.
"I do not know whether there will be any contact between President Putin and Trump before his inauguration, but this can not be ruled out,” he said. “But we have already sent a congratulatory message.”
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Russia's Foreign Ministry confirmed last week that it had contact with Trump's campaign team prior to his election.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told journalists on Thursday that his ministry would continue to maintain relations with the Trump team as the Republican candidate took office.
Peskov maintained that the Kremlin would continue to work with current U.S. president Barack Obama until he left office. “Events in Syria keep developing so quickly that no one can afford a two-month break,” he said. “We need to be patient and see how the new U.S. administration will behave.”
How will Trump's presidency affect the Syrian crisis, oil prices and NATO relations? Read our analysis of what Trump means for the future of U.S.-Russia relations.
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