Trump-Putin talks 'significant' start to improving ties: WH

US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agreed to establish "real coordination" against the ISIS during an hourlong discussion, which the White House hailed as a "significant start" to improving the strained ties between the two nations.
During their telephonic conversation, the first since Trump assumed office last week, Trump and Putin discussed cooperation against the Islamic State and expressed a willingness to work actively together to stabilise and develop Russian-American cooperation on a constructive basis.
The two leaders discussed "a range in topics from mutual cooperation in defeating ISIS to efforts in working together to achieve more peace throughout the world including Syria," the White House statement said.

"The positive call was a significant start to improving the relationship between the United States and Russia that is in need of repair," it said as the ties between the two countries strained during the Obama administration over the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine.
"Both Trump and Putin are hopeful that after today's call the two sides can move quickly to tackle terrorism and other important issues of mutual concern," it said.
Meanwhile in Moscow, the Kremlin described the talks as a "positive" exchange saying the two leaders addressed the importance of "restoring mutually beneficial trade and economic ties between business circles of the two countries."

It said the two leaders discussed issues ranging from Iranian nuclear deal to the Ukraine and Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, the tensions on the Korean peninsula and trade relations.

Also in a statement Putin said, "The two sides expressed a willingness to work actively together to stabilise and develop Russian-American cooperation on a constructive basis, as equals, and to mutual benefit."
Just ahead of demitting office, President Barack Obama had ordered sanctions on Russian spy agencies, closed two Russian compounds in the US and expelled 35 Russian diplomats that he claimed were really spies.
His move came amid US intelligence reports that Moscow meddled in the 2016 election to help Trump become president.