You're reading: The Moscow Times: Trump defends congratulatory phone call to Russia’s Putin

U.S. President Donald Trump defended his congratulations to Vladimir Putin on the Russian president’s disputed re-election victory on March 21, saying he wants Putin’s help in solving crises from North Korea to Syria and beyond.

Trump drew fire from Republicans and Democrats alike for telling reporters on March 20 that he had congratulated Putin on his re-election and that the two leaders had made tentative plans to meet in the “not too distant future.”

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