Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that US president-elect Donald Trump intends to normalize relations between Russia and the United States.
At an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit wrap-up press conference held in the Peruvian capital city of Lima, Putin said “the US president-elect reiterated his intentions to normalize Russian – US relations,” adding that a possible meeting between him and Trump has not been discussed, but emphasized that it would be useful to hold a meeting between representatives of the Russian President and the American president-elect.
However, Putin pointed out that this also is difficult at the moment, because Trump is still forming his team.
Putin noted that Trump’s election won’t hurt Pacific trade development and that the incoming US president intends to build bridges with Russia.
Putin also commented that campaign trail rhetoric is not the same as “real politics.” Trump ran a divisive campaign in the United States, and there are fears in the country that his administration will support racism and roll back what many see as progress on social issues.
“We know all too well that there is always a huge difference between pre-election rhetoric and real politics whatever the country. As for Mr. Trump’s pledge to bring business back to the US to create more jobs at home … what’s wrong about that?” Putin said.
Talks with current US President Barack Obama at APEC weren’t easy, the Russian president said, but he did thank Obama for their years of work together and invited the outgoing US president to visit Russia.
Moreover, Putin predicted Trump’s election will not hinder trade development in APEC countries, stating that he campaigned against the sweeping Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement among 12 Pacific Rim countries.
“Of course, there are questions like that out there, it is obvious. But there must be no fear, everything will straighten out one way or another,” Putin said.
Source: Al-Manar Website
