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Putin has called for more dialogue with the Trump administration to prevent military engagement between Russia and the US that “might lead to a tragedy”. Appearing at the International Economic Forum in St Petersburg, Putin bemoaned the frosty state of relations with the US since Trump was elected president in 2016. The Russian president, speaking at a plenary session of the annual event, said detailed discussions between himself and Trump were “long overdue”. Military “force” may be the only option left if their differences cannot be reconciled, Putin told reporters.

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"We, along with our US partners, must agree on some uniform rules of behaviour; it is crucial, because this is what’s at the base of our discussion today – trust,” Putin said on Friday. “Trust exists or it doesn’t, and then nothing good can come out of anything. “And then the element of force is the only thing that remains, and this might lead to a tragedy.” His comments underline his disappointment at not being able to improve Russia’s relationship with the US following a series of explosive diplomatic disputes.

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Russia has been accused of helping Trump win the 2016 presidential election by spreading damaging propaganda about Hillary Clinton and allegedly colluding with members of his campaign team. Washington has imposed fresh economic sanctions on Moscow despite Putin’s efforts to woo Trump, whose manifesto promised to normalise relations with Russia. The US also sided with Britain over the suspected nerve agent attack on former KGB spy Sergei Skripal, kicking out 60 Russian diplomats in solidarity. Nevertheless, Putin declared his intention to meet with Trump to rescue troubled relations with the US.

"Certainly, we cannot be content with the level and nature of Russian-US relations,” Putin said. “We are ready for dialogue. Mr. Trump has suggested holding a separate meeting, but things go wrong for us. "Many problems are emerging, but we are ready to hold a detailed dialogue. I think it is long overdue." Earlier on Friday, Putin scolded Britain for blaming "all their mortal sins" on Russia.

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Unfounded accusations have been levelled at Moscow, he said, citing the Skripal poisoning and the downing of MH17 as examples. He scoffed at suggestions that Russian hackers have been interfering in state affairs, saying this was "not in line with our policy". "They now blame Russia for Brexit... again, tosh. We have nothing to do with it whatsoever. This is the inner matter of the UK," Putin said. He added: "If they want to worsen their relationships with Russia they can blame all their mortal sins on us and this is actually the case nowadays.”