The first telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump was held on Saturday night.
US President Donald Trump (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) (Photo: Reuters / Mike Segar, Sergei Karpukhin)
On Saturday night, Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump held their first telephone conversation, which lasted about an hour. The leaders of the two countries indicated their intentions to cooperate on a number of issues, including fighting against the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group and mending bilateral economic ties.
According to a Kremlin’s statement, released after the conversation, the “both sides expressed their readiness to make active joint efforts to stabilize and develop Russia-US cooperation on a constructive, equitable and mutually beneficial basis,” as well as “build up partner cooperation” on a wide range of international issues.
Meanwhile, the White House said that the “positive” conversation was “a significant start to improving the relationship between the United States and Russia that is in need of repair.”
“Both President Trump and President Putin are hopeful that after today’s call the two sides can move quickly to tackle terrorism and other important issues of mutual concern,” the White House announced.
After speaking with Chancellor Merkel for 45 minutes @POTUS is now onto his 3rd of 5 head of government calls, speaking w Russian Pres Putin pic.twitter.com/RPAWIgcO2C
— Sean Spicer (@PressSec) January 28, 2017
“The Presidents have spoken in favor of establishing a real coordination between the US and Russian actions in order to defeat ISIS and other terrorist organizations in Syria,” the Kremlin added.
According to the reports, the Iran’s nuclear program and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict were also discussed by Putin and Trump. “Major aspects of the Ukrainian crisis have been also touched upon,” the Kremlin’s statement noted. The two leaders noted that further development of the relationship between the nations needs restoration of economic ties, as well as agreed to initiate a process to “work out possible dates and venue of their personal meeting.” As the Kremlin noted, Putin and Trump expressed their desire to “maintain regular personal contacts.”
Telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump https://t.co/mjp9Tta1sE
— President of Russia (@KremlinRussia_E) January 28, 2017
According to the Kremlin’s statement, Trump said that Americans “have warm feelings towards Russia and its citizens” and asked Putin “to wish the Russian people happiness and prosperity” on his behalf. The Russian President answered that these feelings were “mutual” and added that “for over two centuries Russia has supported the United States, was its ally during the two world wars, and now sees the United States as a major partner in fighting international terrorism.”
On Friday, during a joint briefing with British Prime Minister Theresa May, Trump expressed his hope for “fantastic relationship” with Russia and its President, but, at the same time, noted that he understands that it might not happen.
“I hope we have a fantastic relationship. That’s possible, and it’s also possible that we won’t. We will see what happens,” Trump said during the briefing.
Earlier, the US President said that he would welcome Moscow’s involvement in joint fight against the IS terrorist group.
“I don’t know Putin, but if we can get along with Russia that’s a great thing. It’s good for Russia; it’s good for us; we go out together and knock the hell out of ISIS, because that’s a real sickness,” he said in an interview with Fox News.
For its part, Russia repeatedly offered closer cooperation between the Russian Aerospace Forces and the US Air Force in carrying out airstrikes against terrorists in Syria. However, according to Moscow, the previous US administration, headed by Barack Obama, could not adequately respond to its entreaties.
Trump wants peace with Russia. He is treading carefully because many psychotics in his party and outside want to oppose Russia wherever possible.
Trump seems to be motivated by the idea that America should look out for itself and do so at the lowest possible cost. Confronting other nations for the sake of confronting other nations or for the benefit of others, playing the world’s policeman, it doesn’t seem to be his main interest. The anti-war left should be dancing in the street right now, not demonstrating, they finally have a dream US president who may do what they always demanded the US should do.
If Trump wants to normalize the Relationship betwwen the US and Russia, he should call back all the troops Obama sent to Europe dismantle the new missile systems deployed in Romania and Poland, ask Germany to pull back all the troops sent to the Russian border and reduce Nato to a defense role. The US have shown that they cannot be trusted and Trump is just a salesman.
The best part of the phone call “… in order to defeat ISIS and other terrorist organizations in Syria“ Good, I hope this means that the new White House will stop pretending that Al Qaeda does not exist in Syria and stops demonizing Russia for helping the SAA for attacking them.
Significant “AND OTHER” esp. This means moderate terrorists too.
Talk is cheep. I would concentrate on what he is doing rather than what he is saying,