Putin Says He’s Hopeful About Renewed US, Russia Engagement
Journalists outside US Consul General's residence where Russian and U.S. diplomats met, in Istanbul, on Feb. 27.
Photographer: Francisco Seco/AP Photo
This article is for subscribers only.
Russian President Vladimir Putin praised early efforts by his US counterpart Donald Trump to ease years of strained ties as officials held talks to restore staffing at diplomatic missions in their countries.
“The first contacts with the new American administration give us some hope,” Putin said in a televised speech to officers from the Federal Security Service, the main successor to the Soviet KGB. He highlighted what he called Trump’s “pragmatism.”