WASHINGTON 3 Apr (ANA) - Donald Trump has invited Vladimir Putin to the White House for a visit, according to a statement from the Kremlin.

 

Yury Ushakov, an aide to the Russian leader, told reporters on Monday that during a March 20 phone conversation Mr Trump “suggested that the first meeting could be held in Washington” between the two leaders.

 

He continued: “If everything goes well, I hope that the American side would not refuse its proposal to discuss the possibility of organizing the summit talks.”

 

The White House provided confirmation of the Kremlin's announcement, with Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the press secretary, issuing a statement which emphasised that no date had been set.

 

 

“As the president himself confirmed on March 20, hours after his last call with President Putin, the two had discussed a bilateral meeting in the ‘not-too-distant future’ at a number of potential venues, including the White House," she said. 

 

"We have nothing further to add at this time.” (ANA)

FA/ANA/3 April 2018--------