MOSCOW, November 14. /TASS/. Head of Russia’s State Duma (lower house of parliament) Committee for International Affairs Leonid Slutsky "really hopes" that US president-elect Donald Trump will adhere to his position on recognizing Crimea as part of Russia that he expressed during the election campaign.

"As for Trump’s position on recognizing Crimea as part of Russia, I really hope he does that," Slutsky told a press conference in Moscow.

He pointed out that "during the election campaign as well as after the election, Trump more than once reiterated his wish to meet with (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and change the US attitude to the Syrian crisis." "Let us wait for other statements on strategic matters. I think there may be a statement on the Crimean issue. I wouldn’t get too excited but as all the Russian citizens and the Crimeans in particular, I, too, would pin hopes on it," he added.

Slutsky believes Trump will "clarify his position on this matter" in the next few weeks.