Trump, Putin Discuss Fighting Terrorism in Syria in First Phone Call

The potential for bilateral cooperation over regulating the war in Syria and fighting the “common enemy number one: international terrorism and extremism” was the a point of focus in a phone conversation between Russian President, Vladimir Putin and US President-elect Donald Trump on Monday.
 
“ Putin and Trump shared the opinion that it is necessary to join forces against the common enemy number one: international terrorism and extremism. In this spirit, the question of regulating the conflict in Syria was also discussed,” said the Kremlin statement
 
During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump suggested that he could move US focus in Syria away from removing President Bashar Assad, and back Russia’s role in war against terrorism in the country.
 
According to a Kremlin summary of the phone call, Putin said he was ready for “a dialogue of partnership with the new administration based on the principles of equality, mutual respect and non-interference in the internal affairs of each other”.
 
A statement from Trump’s transition team said Putin offered congratulations on winning “a historic election”.
 
“During the call, the two leaders discussed a range of issues including the threats and challenges facing the United States and Russia, strategic economic issues and the historical US-Russia relationship that dates back over 200 years,” the statement said.
 
“President-elect Trump noted to President Putin that he is very much looking forward to having a strong and enduring relationship with Russia and the people of Russia,” statement added.
 
Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said the two leaders shared a “phenomenally similar” outlook on foreign policy.
 
In contrast to many European leaders, who are hoping that some of the promises made by Trump during the campaign will be discarded during his presidency, Putin “wished him success in implementing his campaign promises”.
 
The two men agreed to keep in touch by telephone and begin planning for an in-person meeting. It was not specified whether such a meeting would take place before or after Trump’s inauguration in January.