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HEALTH-VIRUS-RUSSIA-USA
Putin speaks with Trump on virus, oil
MOSCOW, April 10, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Russia’s President Vladimir Putin
on Friday spoke with US counterpart Donald Trump for the third time in
two weeks, discussing the coronavirus pandemic and global oil prices.
Putin earlier told the US-Russian crew aboard the International
Space Station that the ISS is “an example of an effective partnership
of our countries” as the world fights the pandemic.
The two leaders spoke on March 30, after which Russia sent a plane
of medical equipment to New York. On Thursday night, they discussed
oil prices together with the King of Saudi Arabia.
Friday’s conversation focussed on the new OPEC-driven agreement to
cut oil output to shore up prices, according to a readout published by
the Kremlin.
The two also “discussed issues pertaining the coronavirus pandemic”
and cooperation in space, it said.
A White House spokesman said the presidents “discussed the latest
efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic and maintain stability in
global energy markets.”
Trump and Putin have had a flurry of contacts since late March,
with Trump saying on Thursday that they “get along very well”, even
though bilateral relations have been at their lowest point since the
Cold War.
Moscow last week has sent a military plane with medical aid and
equipment to New York, the epicentre of the US coronavirus epidemic.
BSS/AFP/MRU/2159hrs