'I rate them highly, there is a result': Putin praises US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said that he viewed the recent talks between the US and Russia in Saudi Arabia as “highly” successful, calling them a “first step” toward restoring relations with Washington.

On Tuesday, officials from both nuclear powers convened in Riyadh for their first high-level meeting in over three years.

“I was briefed (on the talks). I rate them highly, there is a result,” AFP quoted Putin as saying at a drone factory in Saint Petersburg.

“In my opinion, we made the first step to restore work in various areas of mutual interests,” he added.

Putin said that US President Donald Trump was beginning to receive “objective information,” though he did not provide further details.

He emphasised that both sides must work on building trust to address the conflict effectively.

“It is impossible to solve many issues, including the Ukrainian crisis, without increasing the level of trust between Russia and the United States,” the Russian leader added.

More from World

Amid Trump’s optimism, US intel believes Putin isn't serious about Ukraine peace talks Russian soldiers in Ukraine defending 'national interests', future of Russia, says Putin

The Russian president is also quoted as saying that Trump told him that Ukraine would take part in future peace talks.

He also reportedly said that he would be happy to meet Trump, but that meeting still needs to be prepared.

Since coming to office last month, Trump has effectively ended the previous US administration’s policy of isolating Russia, handing a diplomatic coup to Putin.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Trump echoed many of Russia’s talking points on the three-year conflict in Ukraine, blaming Kyiv for having “started” the fighting and suggesting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was hugely unpopular.

With inputs from agencies