Trump and Putin discuss Syria in phone call

US President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have had a telephone conversation, the Kremlin said, revealing they discussed Syria and agreed that current Russian-US relations were “extremely unsatisfactory.” They also talked about the fact 2017 marked 210 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the countries "which in itself should stimulate a return to pragmatic, mutually beneficial cooperation".

Putin and Trump agreed to stay in touch by phone, and arrange to meet in person at a later date, the Kremlin added. Since the US election, the Russians have changed their tone on the US with state media hailing the victory of the “man of the people.”

Earlier Monday, DEBKAfile revealed exclusively that an understanding on cooperation on Syria was in the works between Trump, Putin and Turkish leader Erdogan.