Trump & Putin Hold First Conversation, Vow New US-Russia Partnership

Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump spoke for the first time on Monday night and vowed to establish a new relationship between the US and Russia based on "mutual respect", the Kremlin announced.

The Russian president and US president-elect agreed to "assess the current unsatisfactory state of bilateral relations", develop trade and economic ties and establish joint efforts to fight international terrorism.

Agreeing to stay in regular contact, and arrange a face-to-face meeting soon, Mr Putin wished Mr Trump "success in the implementation of the pre-election programme, and noted his willingness to build a partnership dialogue with the new administration on the principles of equality, mutual respect and non-interference in the internal affairs of each other".