RUSSIALINK: “Putin, Trump to compare notes on many issues – Peskov” – Interfax

MOSCOW. Oct 29 (Interfax) – The primary objective of the upcoming meeting between the presidents of Russia and the United States, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, is to “compare notes” on issues related to strategic stability, especially in the context of the United States’ intention to quit the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said.

“The primary objective is to compare notes. As you know, the presidents of Russia and the United States always have many issues which they need to discuss. There are still lots of questions pertaining to strategic stability, especially in the context of the United States’ declared intention to quit the INF Treaty,” Peskov told the press on Monday.

He had been asked what a successful result of the Putin-Trump meeting in Paris would be.

Bilateral relations will also be on the agenda, Peskov said.

“Comparing notes is the main purpose of such meetings,” he added.

Peskov declined to confirm plans to sign any documents at the Paris meeting.

“By the way, to be frank, I have never said that any documents will be signed there. I do not know who wrote that. Although, indeed, the meeting will be held on the sidelines of the international event in Paris in line with the agreement reached during the visit of [U.S. National Security Advisor John] Bolton,” he said.

[featured images are file photos from other occasions]