Intensive Diplomatic Efforts Are Being Carried Out To Prepare Putin-Trump Meeting

Spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maria Zakharova. (Source: Russian Foreign Ministry)

JAKARTA - Moscow diplomats are doing a "very thorough and serious" job to prepare for a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

"The contact (between President Putin and President Trump) has occurred and has been commented on by the presidential administration. (Cremline Aide, Yury) Ushakov provided detailed information about this," Zakharova explained in an interview with TASS, as quoted October 20.

"Following these contacts, top Russian and Hungarian diplomats held talks to prepare for the event," he continued.

"Work is also being carried out through diplomatic channels (at various levels). This is a brief summary of the very thorough and serious work currently being carried out by Russian diplomats and those trusted to prepare for this visit, this meeting," the diplomat said.

After a telephone conversation with President Putin on October 16, President Trump announced they had agreed to meet in Budapest.

Ushakov said Moscow and Washington would not delay starting preparations for a new meeting between leaders of the two countries, which is likely to be held in the Hungarian capital.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban ordered the formation of the organizing committee to prepare for the summit, explaining the work started on Thursday night last week.