Trump to speak with Putin, Merkel and Abe in day of calls

US President Donald Trump will speak Saturday by telephone with five world leaders -- most significantly Russia`s Vladimir Putin and Germany`s Angela Merkel -- in what may be his biggest day of diplomacy yet.

Saturday`s call will be the first phone conversation between Trump and the Russian President since the inauguration, and one whose outcome will be closely studied.

Both Trump and Putin have said they would like to see warmer ties between their two nations. However, relations between Trump and his team and Russia have been under scrutiny following allegations that Moscow meddled in the US election last year.

Speaking Friday at his first White House news conference, Trump indicated a willingness to work with Moscow.

But he said it was "too early" to discuss removing sanctions that were imposed on Russia under his predecessor, President Barack Obama.

"We`ll see what happens," Trump said of the call, which Vice-President Mike Pence will also join.

"We`re looking to have a great relationship with all countries," Trump said. "If we can have a great relationship with Russia and China and all countries I`m all for that."

Friday night, however, a senior administration official said the current plan was not to lift the Russian sanctions.

The Kremlin has sought to lower expectations, suggesting the Russian President is simply calling as a matter of protocol to congratulate the US President on his inauguration.

But there is some excitement in Russia about a possible detente between Washington and Moscow under the Trump administration.

Source : CNN