President-elect Donald Trump on Friday shared a Christmas letter sent to him by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In the letter, which is dated December 15th, President Putin expressed his hopes that Trump’s presidency will see an increase in cooperation between the United States and Russia.
“I hope that after you assume the position of the President of the United States of America we will be able – by acting in a constructive and pragmatic manner – to take real steps to restore the framework of bilateral cooperation in different areas as well as bring our level of collaboration on the international scene to a qualitatively new level,” Putin wrote.
In a statement released with the letter, Trump offered his own thoughts on the Russian leader’s sentiments.
“A very nice letter from Vladimir Putin; his thoughts are so correct,” Trump said of the letter in a statement. “I hope both sides are able to live up to these thoughts, and we do not have to travel an alternate path.”
Check out the full text of the letter below:
Dear Mr. Trump,
Please accept my warmest Christmas and New Year greetings.
Serious global and regional challenges, which our countries have to face in recent years, show that the relations between Russia and the U.S. remain an important factor in ensuring stability and security of the modern world.
I hope that after you assume the position of the President of the United States of America we will be able – by acting in a constructive and pragmatic manner – to take real steps to restore the framework of bilateral cooperation in different areas as well as bring our level of collaboration on the international scene to a qualitatively new level.
Please accept my sincere wishes to you and your family of sound health, happiness, wellbeing, success and all the best.
Sincerely,
V.Putin
