Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told CNN that Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump are alike in being pragmatic and focused on solving problems.
"No one expects that relationship will improve in a fortnight between Moscow and Washington. We have a very heavy burden of disagreements on our shoulders. But nonetheless, if our two leaders...are wise enough to have a political will to talk to each other and to try to solve problems not by confronting each other, not by using, let's say language of sanctions or
other illogical things hurting both sides, then we really have a chance at least to talk and try to solve the problems," Peskov said.
"Actually, they seem to be very pragmatic, both of them. They point out as a main objective to protect national interests. We've heard Mr. Trump mentioning overwhelming priority of America's national interests, and the same is being proclaimed by President Putin," said Peskov, who is considered close to Putin.
"At the same time, they both expressed readiness to develop good relationships with other countries in the world... This is a very good, very positive coincidence."