President Putin, speaking on 22/8, said, "With the presence of President Donald Trump, I think there is finally light at the end of the tunnel. We had a very good, meaningful, and frank meeting in Alaska." He was referring to the summit with his US counterpart last week.
The Russian leader believes the next steps in the bilateral relationship depend on the US, but he's confident the relationship will be restored under President Trump.
 |
President Putin (left) and President Trump in Alaska on 15/8. Photo: AP |
President Putin (left) and President Trump in Alaska on 15/8. Photo: AP
Putin didn't elaborate on potential US-Russia cooperation in the Arctic, but noted the region's "very large" mineral reserves and the presence of the Russian gas company Novatek.
"We are discussing with our American partners the possibility of cooperation in this area, not only in the Arctic but also in Alaska. Currently, no one possesses technologies like Russia. This is of great interest to our partners, including our American partners," Putin explained.
Presidents Trump and Putin met face-to-face for over three hours in Alaska on 15/8. They held a brief press conference afterward to announce the discussion's results and left open the possibility of another summit in the future.
Both Moscow and Washington acknowledged significant economic opportunities if relations normalize, following their decline to a post-Cold War low due to the conflict in Ukraine.
Ngoc Anh (Reuters, RT)
