President Trump has invited Vladimir Putin to the White House, the USA Today reported Monday, citing a statement from the Kremlin.
While “Trump proposed holding a meeting at the White House in Washington,” Putin foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov told reporters in Moscow that some issues need to be resolved.
Trump’s invitation comes amid renewed strains in the U.S.- Russian relationship. Last week the U.S. announced the expulsion of 60 Russian diplomats and intelligence operatives, and the closure of a Russian consulate in Seattle in retaliation for a poison attack on an ex-Russian spy and his daughter.
The United States and its allies have formally condemned Russia over the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter; Russia has denied the allegations and is planning to kick U.S. officials out of its country.
Additionally, U.S. intelligence agencies publicly asserted that Putin personally ordered Russia’s intervention in the 2016 election in part to help Trump win the presidency.
“Against the backdrop of these events, it’s difficult to discuss the possibility of holding a summit,” Ushakov said, though he added he hopes that “one day, at one time or another, we can arrive at the start of a serious and constructive dialogue.”
Also on Political Dig: Putin Says He’s Happy With Trump’s Performance: ‘I Have No Disappointment At All’.
Trump has said in recent weeks he wants to meet with Putin to discuss pressing issues, including the campaign to pressure North Korea into giving up nuclear weapons programs.
During their March 20 phone conversation, Trump, over the objections of aides, congratulated Putin on his re-election, despite claims of rigged balloting.
Trump and Putin also spoke last year on the sidelines of international summits in Germany and Vietnam.
