Putin tells Trump in New Year’s letter he’s open to meeting

Russian President Vladimir Putin has told U.S. President Donald Trump in a New Year's letter that the Kremlin is "open to dialogue" on the myriad issues hindering relations between their countries

FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2018, file photo, President Donald Trump, right, walk past Russia's President Vladimir Putin, left, as they gather for the group photo at the start of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The pullout of U.S. troops from Syria ordered by President Donald Trump could further bolster Moscow’s clout in Syria, but it may also destabilise Russia's standing in the region. ( (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)Read morePablo Martinez Monsivais / AP

by The Associated Press, AP_pmn_1

Published Dec. 30, 2018, 3:41 p.m. ET

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin has told U.S. President Donald Trump in a New Year's letter that the Kremlin is "open to dialogue" on the myriad issues hindering relations between their countries.

The Kremlin published a summary of Putin's "greeting message" to Trump on Sunday. The summary states the Russian leader wrote: "Russia-U.S. relations are the most important factor behind ensuring strategic stability and international security."

Trump canceled a formal meeting with Putin scheduled for Dec. 1 at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, tweeting "it would be best for all parties" given Russia's seizure days earlier of three Ukrainian naval vessels.

Since then, the Kremlin has repeatedly said it is open to dialogue.

The message to Trump was among dozens of holiday greetings Putin sent to other world leaders, each tailored to reflect a bilateral theme.