MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin told his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump in a New Year letter on Sunday that Moscow was ready for dialogue on a “wide-ranging agenda”. Mr. Putin stressed that the (Russia – United States) relations are the most important factor for providing strategic stability and international security.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted as saying that now it was up to the United States whether to hold a new meeting in 2019. “The issue should be addressed to Washington. Both our president and his representatives have said that we are ready for the talks when Washington is ready for it. ”
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, in defense of state sovereignty and territorial integrity”.