WASHINGTON, May 5. U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he would consider a possible meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Saudi Arabia during his visit to the kingdom in mid-May. Journalists asked the American leader whether he intends to meet with his Russian counterpart during his planned trip.

"I don't know, we have to think about it. <...> I haven't thought about it yet," Trump replied. <->"We're leaving for Saudi Arabia soon," the American leader added.

Earlier, Tammy Bruce, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, stated that communication between the leaders of Russia and the United States is necessary to resolve the Ukrainian crisis. Putin and Trump held a telephone conversation on March 18, during which they discussed a 30-day ceasefire in the Ukrainian conflict, conditions to prevent escalation, and a number of international issues. The Russian leader agreed with Trump's proposal that the parties to the conflict in Ukraine refrain from attacking each other's energy infrastructure.

Trump had previously indicated that he might meet with the Russian leader after his trip to the Middle East, during which he will visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates from May 13 to 16.

TASS/gnews.cz-jav