Authorities in the Russian city of Obninsk have issued permission for the country’s first public demonstration in support of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.

An unnamed source in the city administration said on November 18 that the rally will be held on November 19 in the center of the city and that up to 40 people are expected to participate.

The purpose of the event is “to express hope for improving U.S.-Russian relations,” organizers said.

Trump, who was elected U.S. president on November 8, has expressed respect for Russian President Vladimir Putin and has called for cooperation with Russia in combating the threat of Islamist terrorism.

U.S. intelligence officials accused Russian officials of seeking to influence the presidential election in Trump’s favor by directing the hacking of Democratic Party e-mails and leaking them to the website WikiLeaks.

Russian state media generally reported positively on Trump and sharply criticized his Democratic Party rival, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton -- as well as running stories and commentaries casting doubt on the fairness and transparency of the U.S. election generally.

Based on reporting by TASS and RIA-Novosti

