Trump and Putin Discuss Oil Prices and the Coronavirus 

On Monday, the leaders of the US and Russia discussed by phone, as the Kremlin reported. Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin addressed the collapse in oil prices and the pandemic of the new coronavirus. 

The two heads of state said they were seriously concerned about the spread of the coronavirus around the world. And informed each other of the measures taken in their own countries, according to the Kremlin statement.

There was a discussion about the possibility of better cooperation between the two countries.

Before the conversation with Putin, Trump announced that during the call, they would discuss the issue of energy, in an interview with Fox News. Moreover, they would address their objection to the oil price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia. 

Trump stated that in the fight Between Saudi Arabia and Russia, both of the countries went crazy and pointed out that it was hurting the American industry.

The Kremlin stated that both leaders discussed the current situation in the oil market and exchanged views.

Putin Proposed to Suspend the Sanctions

Before the conversation, Trump indicated that he expected Putin to ask him to ease sanctions against Moscow. Nevertheless, he hasn’t specified what his response would be. He added that Putin has been asking for that for two years. 

In the statement, the Russian government did not mention the issue of sanctions. Still, it said it raised specific bilateral matters, without naming them.

During the G20 summit, Putin proposed to pause the sanctions that affect various countries during the crisis unleashed by the coronavirus epidemic. Putin hasn’t specified which states he was referring to. However, he defended this relief as something of life and death matter.

The fall of crude oil prices is shaking the Russian economy. It has resulted in the devaluation in the rates of the ruble. Since 2014, the country has been in a difficult situation due to international sanctions imposed after the conflict in Ukraine between Kyiv and pro-Russian separatists.

The Venezuela Issue on the Table

Another aspect of friction between the two is that of Venezuela. Washington, along with more than 50 countries, supports Parliament Leader Juan Guaido as interim president. Meanwhile, Moscow maintains its support for President Nicolas Maduro. There is a question about his second term due to irregularities in the elections. 

On Saturday, Rosneft, Russia’s state oil company, reported that the position of Russia was disrupting the company’s activities in Venezuela because of threats of sanctions by the US. However, Russia’s support remains critical for the Maduro government.