Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Prime Minister of Yemen’s Houthi Government Killed in Israeli Strike

3 days ago

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Signs Law Redrawing Congressional Maps

4 days ago

US Air Force will Offer Military Funeral Honors to Slain Capitol Rioter

4 days ago

US Republican Senator Joni Ernst Will Not Run for Re-Election, CBS News Reports

4 days ago

Wall Street Falls as Dell, Nvidia Drive Tech Losses

4 days ago

US Denies Visas to Palestinian Officials Ahead of UN General Assembly

4 days ago

Minneapolis Children Revealed Courage, Absorbed Fear During Church Shooting

5 days ago

Ford Recalls Nearly 500,000 Vehicles Over Brake Fluid Leak

5 days ago

Fresno-Bound Passenger Says Delta Attendant Slapped Him, Seeks $20M

5 days ago
Putin Open for Talks With Trump, Warns Against Force on Iran
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 6 years ago on
June 20, 2019

Share

MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he’s open for a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump but doesn’t expect quick progress on easing tensions with Washington.
The Russian leader also strongly warned the United States against using force on Iran, saying it will trigger a “catastrophe.”

“Our relations aren’t going to be easy, given the fact that part of the American establishment is speculating on Russia-U.S. relations, trying to muddy the waters to make some gains and inventing all kinds of fake (news).” — Russian President Vladimir Putin
Trump said he would meet with Putin on the sidelines of next week’s G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan, but the Kremlin noted that the White House hasn’t formally requested the meeting yet.
Speaking during a live marathon call-in show that lasted more than four hours, Putin said he’s ready to hold more talks with Trump.
“Dialogue is always good and necessary,” Putin said. “If the American side shows interest in that, we are naturally ready for a dialogue as much as our partners are.”
He added that Russia and the U.S. particularly need to focus on arms control issues, including the future of the New Start arms treaty that is set to expire in 2021.
Putin charged that U.S.-Russian relations have become hostage to the U.S. domestic political infighting ahead of the 2020 U.S. presidential election, clouding prospects for their improvement.
“Our relations aren’t going to be easy, given the fact that part of the American establishment is speculating on Russia-U.S. relations, trying to muddy the waters to make some gains and inventing all kinds of fake (news),” he said.

Trump’s Re-Election Bid to Make Easing Tensions More Unlikely

The Russian leader has denied meddling in the 2016 U.S. election to help Trump win despite the evidence to the contrary uncovered by U.S. special counsel Robert Mueller.
Putin added that Trump’s re-election bid will make easing tensions even more unlikely.
“Even if the president wants to take some steps forward, to discuss something, there are plenty of restrictions coming from other state structures,” Putin said.
Putin was questioned on a report by The New York Times about U.S. cyberattacks on Russian energy infrastructure, which Trump has denounced as an “act of treason” in an angry tweet this week. Putin said Russia takes the matter seriously.
“I heard about The New York Times article and saw the reaction of the president, who called them traitors,” Putin said. “I don’t know how we should interpret it, whether they uncovered true information or it was a fake. In any case, we need to react to that (but) we must understand what was it.”
“It’s important to protect our vital infrastructure,” Putin added.
Russian news anchors claimed the call center repeatedly came under cyberattacks during the show but they were successfully fended off.
During the show, Putin warned the U.S. that an attack on Iran would have enormous consequences, adding it would trigger an escalation of hostilities across the region.
“It would be a catastrophe for the region as a minimum,” he said.

 
Tensions have been mounting recently over last week’s attacks on tankers near the Strait of Hormuz, assaults Washington has blamed on Iran. Iran has denied the accusations.
Putin noted that Iran has abided by the terms of a landmark nuclear deal despite the U.S. withdrawal from the accord, adding that he considers U.S. sanctions against Iran unfounded.

Putin: It’s Necessary to Discuss Regional Issues

Asked if Russia could be willing to negotiate a “grand bargain” with the U.S. on Syria and other issues, Putin responded by saying that “we aren’t trading in our allies, our interests and our principles.”
He added, however, that it’s necessary to discuss regional issues with various players, including the United States.
The tightly-choreographed call-in provided a rare opportunity for Russians across the vast country to take their grievances to the very top, so it was dominated by complaints about low wages, potholed roads, decrepit schools, overwhelmed hospitals and other social issues.
More than 1.5 million people sent in questions by phone, video or email.

“The same thing is happening with regard to Russia and it will keep going. So if we want to win a place under the sun, we simply need to get stronger, primarily in the economic sphere.” — Putin
Putin acknowledged that U.S. and the European Union sanctions have cost Russia an estimated $50 billion since 2014, but he claimed that EU nations have suffered even greater damage because of the restrictions. It was not immediately possible to verify such a claim.
The Russian leader said the sanctions have encouraged Moscow to launch its own production of ship engines and other key industrial products and develop its agricultural sector. He said Russia’s agricultural exports topped $25 billion last year and will keep growing.
Putin charged that the Western sanctions represent an attempt to curb Russia’s growing power, adding that U.S. trade restrictions against China serve a similar purpose.
He noted U.S. sanctions against the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, describing it as part of U.S. efforts to “contain the development of China as a global power.”
“The same thing is happening with regard to Russia and it will keep going. So if we want to win a place under the sun, we simply need to get stronger, primarily in the economic sphere,” he said.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Fresno Police Nab 11 DUI Suspects During Saturation Enforcement

DON'T MISS

Clovis Police Make DUI Arrest During Weekend Saturation Patrol

DON'T MISS

US Issues Iran-Related Sanctions on Network of Shipping Companies, Vessels

DON'T MISS

Wall Street Hits Over One-Week Low on Tariff Uncertainty, Data in Focus

DON'T MISS

US Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Use of Troops in Los Angeles

DON'T MISS

Thousands of Israeli Reservists Report for Duty, as Military Chief Clashes With Ministers

DON'T MISS

Vogue Appoints Chloe Malle to Succeed Anna Wintour as US Editorial Head

DON'T MISS

Garnet Fire in Fresno County Grows to 26,982 Acres, 12% Contained

DON'T MISS

US Construction Spending Dips in July

DON'T MISS

New Quake of Magnitude 5.5 Shakes Devastated Afghan Region as Death Toll Exceeds 1,400

UP NEXT

Wall Street Hits Over One-Week Low on Tariff Uncertainty, Data in Focus

UP NEXT

Thousands of Israeli Reservists Report for Duty, as Military Chief Clashes With Ministers

UP NEXT

New Quake of Magnitude 5.5 Shakes Devastated Afghan Region as Death Toll Exceeds 1,400

UP NEXT

Trump Set to Move Space Command Headquarters to Alabama From Colorado, Sources Say

UP NEXT

Trump Says Rudy Giuliani Will Receive Top US Civilian Honor

UP NEXT

Aid Flotilla for Gaza Departs Barcelona After Stormy Weather Turnaround

UP NEXT

US Judge Blocks Deportations of Unaccompanied Migrant Children to Guatemala

UP NEXT

Israel Pounds Gaza City Suburbs, Netanyahu to Convene Security Cabinet

UP NEXT

Thousands in Australia March Against Immigration, Government Condemns Rally

UP NEXT

Trump Says He Will Order Voter ID Requirement for Every Vote

Wall Street Hits Over One-Week Low on Tariff Uncertainty, Data in Focus

1 hour ago

US Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Use of Troops in Los Angeles

2 hours ago

Thousands of Israeli Reservists Report for Duty, as Military Chief Clashes With Ministers

2 hours ago

Vogue Appoints Chloe Malle to Succeed Anna Wintour as US Editorial Head

2 hours ago

Garnet Fire in Fresno County Grows to 26,982 Acres, 12% Contained

2 hours ago

US Construction Spending Dips in July

2 hours ago

New Quake of Magnitude 5.5 Shakes Devastated Afghan Region as Death Toll Exceeds 1,400

2 hours ago

Trump Set to Move Space Command Headquarters to Alabama From Colorado, Sources Say

2 hours ago

Tulare County Authorities Investigate Porterville Shooting

15 hours ago

Trump’s World Liberty Token Falls in First Day of Trading

15 hours ago

Fresno Police Nab 11 DUI Suspects During Saturation Enforcement

Fresno police arrested 11 people on Saturday through a DUI enforcement operation. Police held the checkpoint at Cedar and Gettysburg avenues...

15 seconds ago

15 seconds ago

Fresno Police Nab 11 DUI Suspects During Saturation Enforcement

1 hour ago

Clovis Police Make DUI Arrest During Weekend Saturation Patrol

United States Department of the Treasury logo and U.S. flag are seen in this illustration taken April 23, 2025. (Reuters File)
1 hour ago

US Issues Iran-Related Sanctions on Network of Shipping Companies, Vessels

A view shows the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) Wall Street entrance in New York City, U.S., April 7, 2025. (Reuters File)
1 hour ago

Wall Street Hits Over One-Week Low on Tariff Uncertainty, Data in Focus

National Guard troops wear gas masks during protests against federal immigration sweeps, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 12, 2025. (Reuters File)
2 hours ago

US Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Use of Troops in Los Angeles

An Israeli soldier stands on top of a military vehicle at the Israel-Gaza border, as seen from Israel, August 26, 2025. (Reuters File)
2 hours ago

Thousands of Israeli Reservists Report for Duty, as Military Chief Clashes With Ministers

Anna Wintour attends opening remarks during a press preview of The Costume Institute's exhibition "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, U.S., May 5, 2025. (Reuters File)
2 hours ago

Vogue Appoints Chloe Malle to Succeed Anna Wintour as US Editorial Head

A lightning-sparked wildfire in the Sierra National Forest has burned 24,851 acres and is 12% contained, prompting evacuation orders for several zones in Fresno County as more than 1,470 firefighters work to contain the blaze amid thunderstorm threats, officials said Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. (U.S. Forest Service)
2 hours ago

Garnet Fire in Fresno County Grows to 26,982 Acres, 12% Contained

Search

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Send this to a friend