“In general, the conversation was frank and professional and, of course, useful for both parties. It was agreed to continue regular contacts at the highest level,” says the communiqué in reference to the dialogue held between the Presidents.

As per the statement, the main topic of the 50-minute exchange was the implementation of the agreement, established by both leaders during the videoconference on December 7th, to start negotiations on the provision of legal guarantees for the security of Russia.

Putin pointed out that the result of the joint work of Moscow, Washington and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) should be the establishment of firm guarantees.

These should exclude the possibility of further NATO advance eastward and the deployment of weapons systems in the vicinity of Russsia’s borders.

This Friday was the second conversation between the two heads of state this month. During the first conversation, two-hour long, they addressed the situation in Ukraine, bilateral relations, cybersecurity and the Iranian nuclear agreement.

On this occasion, the initiative for dialogue came from the Russian President, with the purpose of continuing the discussion of the issues discussed earlier and adjusting details about the talks that the two countries will hold on January 10th in Geneva, Switzerland, on the security commitments required by Moscow.

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