Putin says willing to meet Trump whenever US is ready

FILE: Putin said that some nations, including Austria, have offered to host his summit with Trump (Shutterstock photo)

QINGDAO, China — Russian President Vladimir Putin said Sunday he’s happy to meet with President Donald Trump once Washington is ready to hold the summit.

Putin, speaking to reporters in Qingdao, China, where he attended a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, said he agreed with Trump’s expressions of concern about a renewed arms race. Putin added that a thorough discussion is needed to address the issue.

Putin said that some nations, including Austria, have offered to host his summit with Trump.

Putin’s remarks follow a report that White House officials were working toward setting up a meeting. Trump has said he was open to having a summit with Putin, who U.S. intelligence officials have said directed Russian meddling in the 2016 election to help Trump win.

The American leader has repeatedly said he wants to improve relationships with Moscow.

Earlier Sunday, Putin criticized the U.S. withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear deal in a speech at the summit.

He emphasized that the bloc’s members, who also include China, four ex-Soviet Central Asian nations, as well as India and Pakistan, are worried about the U.S. move.

Putin said that Washington’s decision to exit the agreement could “destabilize the situation” in the region. He added that Moscow will continue to honour its obligations under the Iranian nuclear deal.

Last month, Trump pulled out of former President Barack Obama’s landmark 2015 nuclear accord with Iran over the objections of European allies and other nations.

Addressing the summit, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, whose country has an observer status in the group, said that Iran would expect other participants in the nuclear deal to provide guarantees that they would honour the agreement.

Founded in 2001, the Beijing-based SCO has largely served as a vehicle for resolving border issues, fighting terrorism and — more implicitly — to counter American influence in Central Asia following its invasion of Afghanistan.