Trump and Putin
Photo: AP
Putin calls Trump, urges cooperation
In his first phone call to the president-elect, Russian president emphasize need for 'constructive cooperation', with the two agreeing efforts need to be combined to tackle international terrorism.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President-elect Donald Trump on Monday agreed to work toward "constructive cooperation", including on fighting terrorism, the Kremlin said.
In their first phone call since Trump won the November 8 election, they agreed to "channel" relations between Russia and the United States and "combine efforts to tackle international terrorism and extremism".
"The importance of creating a solid basis for bilateral ties was underscored, in particularly by developing the trade-economic component," the Kremlin said in its statement.
Preident-elect Trump and President Vladimir Putin (Photo: AP)
It added that the countries should "return to pragmatic, mutually beneficial cooperation, which would address the interests of both countries as well as stability and safety the world over."
Trump's team issued a statement saying Putin called to offer congratulations. The statement said Trump told Putin he was looking forward to a strong and enduring relationship with Russia and its people.
The two men will maintain contact by phone and seek to meet each other in person, the statement said. However, they are not due to meet before Trump assumes office on January 20, 2017, the Kremlin said on Tuesday.
Trump will succeed President Barack Obama on January 20 and has expressed his hope of restoring relations which have been frayed under Obama's administration over issues that include Syria and Ukraine.
