White House says Trump 'open' to visiting Moscow

Dunya News

A summit last week between the pair in Helsinki caused Trump serious domestic problems.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The White House on Friday said US President Donald Trump was open to a controversial visit to Moscow, after an apparent invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"(Trump) has a desire to conduct meetings in the future and I am ready," Putin said, extending the invitation and reiterating his desire to go to Washington.

The White House responded with a statement saying "President Trump looks forward to having President Putin to Washington after the first of the year, and he is open to visiting Moscow upon receiving a formal invitation".

A summit last week between the pair in Helsinki caused Trump serious domestic problems, with the US president accused of appeasing a man who allegedly tried to tilt the 2016 US presidential election.

Even Trump’s Republican allies joined in the criticism of the Helsinki sit-down. Senator John McCain accused Trump of "naivete, egotism, false equivalence, and sympathy for autocrats".

A US special counsel is currently investigating whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russian spies to manipulate the vote.

Trump denies there was any collusion.