See what President Trump has been doing since taking officeSee what President Trump has been doing since taking officePresident Trump called Russian President Vladi­mir Putin on Saturday in hopes of cultivating “a great relationship,” one in a series of telephone conversations with world leaders as he develops a personal rapport with the heads of several traditional U.S. allies. Trump spoke with Putin from behind his desk in the Oval Office, which was stacked high with papers and a glass of soda. “President Trump affirmed the iron-clad U.S. commitment to ensuring the security of Japan,” a White House statement said. On Saturday, Nikolai Patrushev, the influential head of the Russian Security Council, welcomed the first contact. In the new world order outlined by Putin, Russia would have greater influence in world affairs and, from Moscow’s point of view, feel more secure at home.

Source: Washington Post January 28, 2017 17:23 UTC