Lavrov: Putin and Trump can meet to improve relations

That if they feel the need to focus on improving relations, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said, according to the state news agency RIA.

If leaders feel the need to meet and turn to the issue that we think unites Russia and the United States ... I think such a meeting can be held”, Lavrov has said.

After their meeting in Helsinki, Trump received a wave of criticism because he had failed to accuse Putin of interfering with Moscow in the U.S. elections in 2016, as well as to protect the attitudes of intelligence agencies that view Russia as a threat

As a result, Trump postponed meeting with his Russian counterpart for next year. A few days later, Putin said he wanted Trump to be his guest in Moscow, and the White House welcomed this idea despite constant criticism of the Helsinki summit.

Russia is looking for such meetings as it is under punitive sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union and wants them removed.

Lavrov has said Russia was ready to continue contact with the United States if the American side was also willing to act on equality, has reported RIA.