Putin, Trump agree to normalize 210 years old Russia-US relations

MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President-elect Donald Trump yesterday concluded their first telephone conversation with an agreement to instruct their respective staffs to begin planning for a personal meeting.

"It was agreed to maintain contact by phone and arrange a meeting in person in the future, with preparations to be conducted by representatives of both sides," the Kremlin said in a statement.

The principal topic of Monday's discussion was the current state of relations between the US and Russia.

Both agreed that the upcoming 210th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and the US "should encourage a return to pragmatic, mutually beneficial cooperation in the interests of both countries, as well as global stability and security," the Russian government said.

Trump and Putin "not only agreed on the absolutely unsatisfactory state of bilateral relations but also expressed support for active joint efforts to normalize relations and pursue constructive cooperation on the broadest possible range of issues," according to the Kremlin.

The Russian leader told Trump that he was "ready to develop a dialogue of partnership with the new administration on the principles of equality, mutual respect and non-interference in each other's domestic affairs," the statement said.

Turning to global issues, Putin and Trump "both spoke of the need to work together in the struggle against the number one common enemy - international terrorism and extremism. In this context, they discussed issues related to solving the crisis in Syria," according to the statement.

Following the Kremlin announcement, Trump's office confirmed the call with Putin, saying that that two leaders discussed a "range of issues including the threats and challenges facing the United States and Russia."