President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke on the phone on Sunday to discuss “matters of mutual interest,” including counterterrorism, according to Kremlin readout of the phone call.
According to Russia, Putin thanked Trump for U.S. intelligence assistance in thwarting a allegedly planned terrorist attack in St. Petersburg on New Years Eve. The Federal Security Service of Russia issued a statement about the U.S.’s assistance in the operation earlier this weekend.
“Vladimir Putin thanked Donald Trump for the information shared via the special services that helped prevent terrorist acts in Russia,” the Russian statement said. “Several matters of mutual interest were discussed. An agreement was made to continue bilateral cooperation in the fight against terrorism.”
Russia reportedly initiated the call and the White House took hours longer to publish its readout of the conversation. The White House statement on the call was similar to Russia’s, claiming Putin thanked Trump for the intelligence assistance.
NEW — the WH finally releases a readout of the Trump-Putin call:
"The Presidents also discussed the state of relations between the United States and Russia and future efforts to support effective arms control." pic.twitter.com/M893Jwaez6
— j.d. durkin (@jiveDurkey) December 30, 2019
The two have not spoken on the phone since July.
H/t: CNN.
