Putin keen to hold talks with Trump over arms race
RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin has said he is happy to meet with US President Donald Trump once Washington is ready to hold the summit.
Mr Putin, speaking in Qingdao, China, where he attended a summit of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation, said he agreed with Mr Trump’s expressions of concern about a renewed arms race, adding that a thorough discussion is needed to address the issue.
Mr Putin said some nations, including Austria, have offered to host a summit with Mr Trump.
His remarks follow a report that White House officials were working towards setting up a meeting and the US President has said he is open to speaking with Mr Putin, who US intelligence officials have said directed Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election to help Mr Trump win.
The American leader has repeatedly said he wants to improve relationships with Moscow.
Speaking earlier at the Shanghai event, Mr Putin criticised the US withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear deal.
He emphasised that the bloc’s members – including China, four ex-soviet Central Asian nations, as well as India and Pakistan – are worried about the US move.
Mr Putin said Washington’s decision to abandon the agreement could “destabilise the situation” in the region.
He added that Moscow will continue to honour its obligations under the Iranian nuclear deal.
Last month, Mr Trump pulled out of Barack Obama’s landmark 2015 nuclear accord with Iran despite the objections of European allies and other countries.
Addressing the summit, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, whose country has an observer status in the group, said Iran would expect other participants in the nuclear deal to provide guarantees they would honour the agreement.
Founded in 2001, the Beijing-based SCO has served as a vehicle for resolving border issues, fighting terrorism and – more implicitly – to counter US influence in Central Asia following its invasion of Afghanistan.
Though not officially on the agenda, analysts say talks may this year include whether Iran will be allowed to ascend from its position as an SCO observer to become a full member state – a development it has sought since 2008 but has been unable to achieve while subject to UN sanctions.