Moscow is ready for dialogue on a ‘wide-ranging agenda’, Putin tells Trump in New Year letter
- Russian President Vladimir Putin sent the letter on Monday, the Kremlin said
- Stressed that US and Russia relations are key to international security
- Putin also sent New Year letters to leaders of UK, Japan, China and Syria
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a New Year letter to his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump, said on Sunday that Moscow was ready for dialogue on a ‘wide-ranging agenda’, the Kremlin said in a statement.
‘Vladimir Putin stressed that the (Russia – United States) relations are the most important factor for providing strategic stability and international security,’ a Kremlin statement said.
‘He confirmed that Russia is open for dialogue with the USA on the most wide-ranging agenda.’
In a separate letter to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Putin pledged continuation of aid to the Syrian government and people in the ‘fight against terrorism’.
Putin also sent New Year greetings to world leaders including prime ministers Theresa May of Britain and Shinzo Abe of Japan, as well as Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Putin wished ‘well-being and prosperity to the British people’, the Kremlin said.
Russia’s embassy in London said on Friday Moscow and London had agreed to return some staff to their respective embassies after they expelled dozens of diplomats early this year.
Britain expelled 23 Russian diplomats over accusations the Kremlin was behind a nerve toxin attack in March on former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the English city of Salisbury.
Russia, which denies any involvement in the poisoning, sent home the same number of British embassy workers in retaliation.