US President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will try to “normalize US-Russia ties”, the Kremlin has said, following a phone conversation between the two.

Putin wished Trump “success in implementing the election program,” reports the BBC.

Trump, who had praised Putin in his election campaign, said he wanted an “enduring relationship with Russia”.

Meanwhile, President Barack Obama said Trump had told him he remained “committed to a strong NATO”.

The Kremlin revealed Trump and Putin had discussed Syria and agreed that current Russian-US relations were “extremely unsatisfactory”.

They also talked about the fact that 2017 marked 210 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the countries “which in itself should stimulate a return to pragmatic, mutually beneficial co-operation”.

Putin and Trump had agreed to stay in touch by phone and arrange to meet in person at a later date, the Kremlin added.

The Kremlin did not make it clear who had initiated the phone call.

But Trump’s office said the Kremlin had called and that issues such as mutual threats and challenges, and strategic economic affairs, were discussed.

Trump’s election has seen a change in tone from Russia towards the US, with state TV channels quickly switching from claims of electoral fraud to hailing the triumph of the “man of the people”.

BDST: 1101 HRS, NOV 15, 2016
NJ/SR