Russian presidential aide gives details of Putin-Obama phone talks

File Photo of Vladimir Putin Leaning Towards Barack Hussein Obama With Flags Behind Them

(Interfax – Novo-Ogarevo, 14 November) The Russian and US presidents, Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama, have agreed to discuss a range of bilateral relations when they meet in person, the Russian presidential aide Yuriy Ushakov has said.

“In my view, the essence of their conversation was to agree on a separate meeting between them at which they would thoroughly discuss further joint steps to develop the full range of bilateral relations,” Ushakov told journalists on Wednesday (14 November) commenting on yesterday’s telephone conversation between Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama.

He added that it was in this context that Putin had reiterated his invitation to Barack Obama to visit Russia – “it is his turn now” – so that they could discuss prospects for relations in an easy-flowing conversation.

“Obama responded positively and they agreed to arrange dates for the visit through diplomatic channels,” Ushakov added.

According to him, the agreement is important because this year the two leaders have met only once, in Los Cabos.

“At first, we had an election campaign, and then there was the fiercely close US presidential race. That is to say, after the meeting in Los Cabos there was a pause in contacts, which is explained by objective reasons, and it is good that both leaders have an understanding of the necessity to meet each other and discuss both bilateral affairs and topical international problems,” the presidential aide noted.

Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama had a telephone conversation yesterday. According to the Russian president’s press secretary Dmitriy Peskov, Vladimir Putin once again congratulated Barack Obama on his election victory and again invited him to Russia.

(In another report at 1230 gmt, Interfax quoted Ushakov as saying that during their telephone conversation Putin and Obama supported the idea of ??increasing the volume of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.

“We have repeatedly told the Americans, and Vladimir Putin stressed this during the meeting in Los Cabos, that the level of trade and economic cooperation does not meet the potential of such large countries like the USA and Russia,” Ushakov said. He recalled that Putin had emphasized the need to strengthen trade, economic and investment cooperation as well as to create “a safety net much needed for our countries, which would help in case of possible fluctuations in the political situation” and “save these relations”. “Obama picked up on this topic and also noted that trade and economic relations should be actively developed,” Ushakov added.)

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