26 Jul 2018 14:51

Matviyenko sure Putin, Trump to meet again

MOSCOW. July 26 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump will continue their personal contacts, Russian Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko said.

"I am sure there will be a continuation, definitely. It is my personal standpoint that, definitely, there will be more such meetings, and not just one. Where, when, and what decision our president makes, taking his schedule into account, will be known later," Matviyenko said on Thursday in reply to a question from Interfax.

"It's significant that such a meeting is being planned, and it's going to take place. Naturally, it's too early to talk about the time and venue today," she said.

"The U.S. president publicly declared his willingness to have a second meeting with the Russian president; moreover, he said he would invite him to the U.S., and the Russian president has received such a proposal," Matviyenko said.

"Both presidents have demonstrated their desire to meet, discuss, listen to each other, and build a positive agenda to improve bilateral relations and cooperation in resolving urgent international, global, regional, and other problems," she said.

"The fact that following the meeting in Helsinki, both foreign policy agencies are working on a possible agenda and proposals based on the discussions at the summit is certainly routine and normal diplomatic work. Some groundwork is being laid, and some ideas are being considered. [Russian Foreign Minister Sergei] Lavrov has met and talked with [U.S. Secretary of State Mike] Pompeo, and they've established working contact," Matviyenko said.