Presidents Putin, Trump Have Their First Phone Call, Discuss Joint Efforts to Fight Terrorism

Russian President Vladimir Putin has had his first telephone conversation with newly inaugurated US President Donald Trump. They spoke of joint efforts in battling the major threat of international terrorism, the Kremlin said in an official statement.

 “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 statement said, according to RT.

 They have also discussed a number of other issues, including the Middle East situation, the Arab-Israeli conflict as well as Iran’s nuclear program.

 “Major aspects of the Ukrainian crisis have been also touched upon,” Kremlin announced.

On Friday, speaking at a joint briefing with British Prime Minister Theresa May, Trump said he hoped he would have a “fantastic relationship” with Russia’s president, but understands that might not happen.

Trump has said previously that he would welcome Moscow’s involvement in a joint effort to battle ISIS.

“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.

Moscow, for its part, has repeatedly suggested fostering closer cooperation between the Russian and US Air Forces in Syria, but blamed the previous Obama administration for failing to adequately respond to its entreaties.

Relations between the two countries have been marred in recent years over various issues, including divisions on crisis in Syria and allegations of Russian meddling into the US elections in November of 2016.

H.M