President-elect Donald Trump spoke by phone Monday with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss a range of issues, including threats and challenges facing both countries, Trump's transition team said, according to dpa. Trump and Putin also discussed "strategic economic issues" and the US-Russia relationship, the transition team said. Trump told Putin he was looking forward to having "a strong and enduring relationship with Russia and the people of Russia." The two leaders agreed that the current relationship was extremely unsatisfactory, according to a statement issued by the Kremlin. It said Trump and Putin had agreed to continue their telephone contacts, and they envisioned meeting in person. Putin declared himself ready to enter into a dialogue of partnership with the new US administration on the basis of "equality, mutual respect and non-intervention in each other's internal affairs," according to the statement.
