Russian President Vladimir Putin called US President-elect Donald Trump on Monday seeking to iron out differences between the two nations. Putin said he was ready for dialogue with US "on basis of mutual respect, non-intervention into each other's internal affairs". According to a Russian news agency, Putin and Trump have agreed to "work to channel bilateral relationships into constructive cooperation, to combine efforts to tackle international terrorism and extremism, and to continue contact by telephone and to work towards meeting in person". "The importance of creating a solid basis for bilateral ties was underscored, in particularly by developing the trade-economic component," the Kremlin said in its statement. It added that the countries should "return to pragmatic, mutually beneficial cooperation, which would address the interests of both countries as well as stability and safety the world over." Trump will replace Barack Obama who has had tense relations with Putin over several issues in recent years including Syria and Ukraine.
