Trump expected to have call with Putin soon – Waltz

Preparations for a meeting between the two presidents are underway, the incoming US national security adviser says

Phone talks between US President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected within the “coming days and weeks,” incoming US National Security Adviser Michael Waltz believes.

The potential call could serve as the foundation for further negotiations and an in-person meeting between Trump and Putin, Waltz told ABC News on Sunday. 

“We have not set an exact framework for it, yet we’re working on that. But I do expect a call at least in the coming days and weeks. That will be a step and we’ll take it from there,” Waltz said.

The incoming senior official did not provide any estimates on when the meeting between the two leaders would occur, stating only that preparations are underway.

Previously, Trump said a meeting with Putin was being prepared, signaling that it would not likely materialize until after he is inaugurated on January 20. Moscow has repeatedly signaled its readiness to communicate with the incoming US president as well, noting, however, that no exact details on when or where the meeting would take place have been ironed out.