Russian President Vladimir Putin held his first telephone conversation with U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday, where the leaders addressed developments in key military agreements and cooperation on international issues, the Kremlin said.
The two presidents welcomed their exchange of diplomatic notes on an agreement regarding the extension of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. In the coming days both sides will complete all necessary procedures for the functioning of this important mechanism, the Kremlin said in a statement.
Putin and Biden further covered several topics on the international agenda, including the withdrawal of the United States from the Open Skies Treaty and other issues of concern such as the restoration of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the Iranian nuclear program and the Ukrainian settlement.
Bilateral trade and economic cooperation was also discussed, as well as possibilities of cooperation in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
Putin congratulated Biden on the start of his term as the president of the United States and further stressed that "the normalization of relations" would be in the interests of both countries, especially considering "their special responsibility for maintaining security and stability in the world."
