Vladimir Putin on Thursday called for intelligence agencies in the US and his country to open up the lines of communication — an overture that comes as Republicans are calling for a probe of Russian ties to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.
“It’s in everyone’s interest to resume dialogue between the intelligence agencies of the United States and other members of NATO,” Putin said to members of the FSB, a Russian intel agency.
“It’s absolutely clear that in the area of counter-terrorism, all relevant governments and international groups should work together,” he added.
The timing of Putin’s announcement might be considered awkward, as Trump’s national security adviser, Michael Flynn, was forced out this week because he misled administration officials about phone calls he had with a Russian official. In the aftermath, Russian lawmakers rushed to defend Flynn, calling his critics paranoid.
But Putin’s call to work together may find receptive ears in Washington, as Trump has called for the US and Russia to work together to defeat ISIS.
In an interview that aired earlier this month, Trump said that if the US and Russia can collaborate “in the fight against ISIS, which is a major fight, and Islamic terrorism all over the world … that’s a good thing.”
The White House did not respond to a request for comment.