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Kremlin hopes Trump will keep stance shown in phone talk with Putin

On Saturday, Putin and Trump discussed antiterrorism efforts, trade and economic ties, as well as situation in the Middle East, Ukraine and the Korean Peninsula

© AP Photo/Andrew Harnik

MOSCOW, January 31. /TASS/. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has refused to comment on some assessments that US President Donald Trump may be unpredictable.

"In this case, it is not us who should give any characteristics to the US president - this is the domestic affair of America," Peskov told reporters.

"Now we judge by the stance stated during the recent phone conversation (between the Russian and US leaders). We are satisfied by it," he said.

Phone conversation

The Kremlin said late on Saturday that the heads of the two states had discussed a wide range of issues in their first conversation since Donald Trump took office on January 20, including antiterrorism efforts, trade and economic ties, as well as situation in the Middle East, Ukraine and the Korean Peninsula.

Read also

Russian top diplomat comments on first Putin-Trump conversation

The two leaders have also agreed to maintain regular contacts and tasked their teams with working on the date and time of a meeting in person. According to the Kremlin, the conversation was held in a positive and businesslike atmosphere.

Peskov said on Monday the phone conversation was "good, constructive," and useful for launching the discussion on a whole range of issues concerning regional and international security "from the viewpoint of naming priorities in possible cooperation in fight against terrorism."

"It was also rather positive as the heads of state said respect was a very important principle of bilateral relations," Peskov said. "Over the past years, the lack of mutual respect mainly became the reason for a setback and deterioration of our relations," he added.

Saturday’s phone talk was the second conversation between Putin and Trump. They spoke over the phone in November when the US billionaire won the presidential elections. Peskov said the Kremlin has had no contacts with the new US administration so far. Both administrations are yet to establish contact, he added.

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Foreign policy Vladimir Putin Dmitry Peskov Donald Trump

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