U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have spoken together by telephone for the third time since Trump took office in January. 
 
 The scheduled phone conversation on May 2 was the first between the two leaders since the United States carried out a missile strike against a Syrian air base in retaliation for what Western countries charged was a chemical-weapons attack against civilians by Syrian government forces. 
 
 A White House statement described the conversation as "a very good one" -- including discussions on the war in Syria, "working together to eradicate terrorism throughout the Middle East," and "how best to resolve the very dangerous situation in North Korea." 
 
 The White House also announced that Washington will send a representative to Syria peace talks scheduled in Astana, Kazakhstan, on May 3 and 4. 
 
 A Kremlin statement said the emphasis of their phone conversation was on coordinating Russian and U.S. actions in the fight against terrorism. 
 
 It said the two agreed to increase dialogue between U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in an attempt to bring a resolution to the war in Syria. 
 
 Moscow also said Trump and Putin both expressed support for the idea of organizing their first face-to-face meeting on the sidelines of the July 7-8 summit of the Group of 20 (G20) in Hamburg, Germany. 
 
 On North Korea, the Kremlin said Putin called upon Trump to show restraint and make an effort to reduce tensions that have been raised in the aftermath of North Korea's nuclear-weapons and ballistic-missile tests. 
 
 Several hours before their phone conversation, Putin met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Russian Black Sea port of Sochi for talks focusing on the conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, as well as on strained bilateral relations. 
 
 Both leaders said after their May 2 meeting that it is essential for all parties to fulfill their commitments under the Minsk process to regulate the conflict in eastern Ukraine between government forces and Russia-backed separatists. 
 
 "Today we once again reiterated the necessity of the strict observation of the Minsk agreements by the parties to the conflict [in eastern Ukraine]," Putin told journalists. 
 
 Merkel said Moscow and Berlin "are of differing opinions about the cause of the conflict." She said it was essential for Kyiv to regain complete control of its border, including the portion between the separatist-controlled areas and Russia. 
 
 Putin and Merkel also discussed the six-year-old civil war in Syria. Putin repeated Russia's calls for an "impartial investigation" into the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria's Idlib Province last month that left about 80 people dead. 
 
 Putin also said Russia was counting on the United States to help find "efficient solutions" to the conflict in Syria. 
 
 Merkel said she spoke to Putin about domestic developments in Russia, including the arrests of demonstrators at recent anticorruption rallies and media reports about the persecution of homosexual men in the Russian North Caucasus region of Chechnya. 
 
 "The possibility of the right to demonstrate is a part of civil society," Merkel said. 
 
 She also urged Putin to "use his influence" to put an end to the abuse of homosexuals in Chechnya. 
 
 Russia's Novaya Gazeta reported in April that at least 100 gay men had been abducted by security forces in Chechnya and at least three had been killed. 
 
 Putin defended the actions of Russian police, saying they acted within the framework of the law and showed "far more restraint than their colleagues in other European countries." 
 
 Putin also categorically rejected allegations that Moscow interfered in the U.S. presidential election in November or was playing any role in Germany's domestic politics. 
 
 The Russia leader said it was "unthinkable" that Russia would interfere in the domestic affairs of other countries. He dismissed the reports of interference in the U.S. election as "rumors." Putin added that Moscow would not tolerate outside interference in its own domestic affairs. 
 
 In January, the U.S. intelligence community issued an assessment charging that Putin "ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the U.S. presidential election." Security agencies in Germany, France, and other countries have also alleged Russian efforts to influence their electoral processes. 
 
 For her part, Merkel said she was confident Germany could handle any disinformation campaigns and would take "decisive measures" in the event of interference. She also noted that "hybrid warfare plays a role in Russia's military doctrine." 
 
 The two leaders also discussed preparations for the G20) summit in Hamburg on July 7-8. The G20 is now the chief format for Russia to meet the other world powers after its exclusion from the Group of Eight (G8), which is now the G7. 
 
 In addition to his talks with Merkel, Putin is scheduled to talk by telephone with U.S. President Donald Trump later on May 2. 
 
 Merkel's one-day trip was her second visit to Russia since Moscow seized the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in March 2014. 
 
 Russia and Germany have scaled back ties and Merkel has strongly backed EU sanctions on Moscow for seizing Crimea and for its involvement in the war that has killed more than 9,900 people in eastern Ukraine since 2014. 
 
 A key mediator in the conflict, which pits Russia-backed separatists against Ukrainian government forces, Merkel is a major proponent of keeping the sanctions on Moscow in place until a stalled peace plan is fulfilled. 
 
 Merkel has attended several meetings with Putin, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, and France's Francois Hollande aimed at implementing the Minsk II agreement, which she and Hollande brokered in February 2015. 
 
 The most recent such meeting was held in October and the four leaders spoke by phone in April, agreeing to step up implementation of the peace deal. 
 
 With reporting by dpa, AP, TASS, and Reuters ||||| U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive at the airport in Helsinki, Finland, Sunday, July 15, 2018 on the eve of his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. (AP Photo/Pablo... (Associated Press) 
 
 HELSINKI (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin (all times local): 
 
 2:20 p.m. 
 
 President Donald Trump says at the start of his summit with Russia's President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki that he thinks "the world wants to see us get along." 
 
 Trump says the two countries have "great opportunities," saying they have not been getting along for the past few years. He says he thinks they can have an "extraordinary relationship." 
 
 He says their discussions will involve trade, the military, missiles, nuclear weapons and China, including their "mutual friend" China's Xi Jingping. He did not mention Russia's meddling in the U.S. election. 
 
 The two leaders were seated together in a room adorned by American and Russian flags at the Finnish Presidential Palace, separated by a small table. 
 
 The meeting started about 45 minutes late following Putin's delayed arrival to Finland. 
 
 ___ 
 
 2:15 p.m. 
 
 Russian President Vladimir Putin says it's time to talk seriously with President Donald Trump about relations between their powerful nations and global problems. 
 
 Putin revealed little about his agenda in terse remarks at the start of talks with Trump in Helsinki. 
 
 While Trump spoke more extensively amid incessant clicks of cameras, Putin said only that "the time has come to talk thoroughly about bilateral relations as well as various hotspots in the world." He called the meeting part of "continued constant contacts" between the men. 
 
 Putin looked serious but smirked when journalists asked Trump about Russian meddling in the U.S. presidential campaign. Trump refused to answer. 
 
 He and Trump shook hands briefly and headed into talks, which are being closely watched around the world. 
 
 ___ 
 
 2 p.m. 
 
 President Donald Trump has arrived at Finland's Presidential Palace for a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. 
 
 Putin arrived minutes earlier at the palace in Helsinki for the summit, which consists of a one-on-one meeting and a larger working lunch, and will conclude with a joint news conference. 
 
 Monday's meeting is being closely watched on both sides of the Atlantic, coming days after the U.S. Justice Department indicted 12 Russian military intelligence officers for their role in hacking Democratic entities during the 2016 presidential campaign. 
 
 Trump says he hopes for better relations with the Russian leader. He faces bipartisan skepticism in Washington that his desire for warming ties is displacing concerns over Russia's annexation of Crimea and other destabilizing actions. 
 
 ___ 
 
 1:15 p.m. 
 
 President Vladimir Putin is using a newly designed Russian limousine abroad for the first time to get to the summit with President Donald Trump in Finland. 
 
 Putin first used the Kortezh limousine during his inauguration in May but had never taken it abroad until now. Putin landed in Helsinki behind schedule for the summit. 
 
 The use of the Kortezh could be a show of Russian pride to counter the U.S. president's world famous limousine known as "The Beast." 
 
 Putin's motorcade included several other vehicles of the same Kortezh, or Aurus family. 
 
 ___ 
 
 1:05 p.m. 
 
 President Vladimir Putin has arrived late for his high-profile meeting with President Donald Trump — another display of the Russian's leader famous lack of punctuality. 
 
 Putin's plane touched down in Helsinki 30 minutes later than planned, pushing back the start of his one-on-one talks with Trump Monday. 
 
 In the past, Putin was late for meetings with Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Pope Francis, among many others. 
 
 In 2014, he was hours late for meeting German Chancellor Angela Merkel, after his previous stop in Serbia lasted longer than usual. 
 
 Often seen as a trick to throw his interlocutors off balance, Putin's tardy ways appear to be more of a personal trait than a well-calculated strategy. 
 
 __ 
 
 12:45 p.m. 
 
 Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman says he hopes the summit with President Donald Trump is a "baby step" toward fixing exceptionally bad U.S.-Russian relations. 
 
 Ahead of Monday's meeting, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told broadcaster RT that the men had no strict agenda but recognize their "special responsibility" for global stability. 
 
 He said European countries shouldn't be worried about a possible U.S.-Russian rapprochement or decisions about Europe made "over the heads of Europeans." 
 
 Peskov said the Russian leader respects Trump's "America first" stance because Putin puts Russia first, but said the only way to make progress at the summit is if both sides are open to finding areas of mutual benefit. 
 
 Russian officials say Putin is expected to reiterate denials of meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign. 
 
 __ 
 
 12:35 p.m. 
 
 U.S. first lady Melania Trump says she and her Finnish counterpart had a "good conversation about issues facing our nations." 
 
 Mrs. Trump says in a tweet that she enjoyed Monday's talk, adding "Thank you to @JenniHaukio for hosting me!" 
 
 Haukio is the wife of Sauli Niinistö (SAW-lee KNEE-nes-tuh), the president of Finland, which is welcoming Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin of Russia for a summit. 
 
 The first ladies met separately over breakfast while their husbands held talks. 
 
 Meanwhile, the Finnish tabloid Iltalehti took the American first lady to task with a front-page photo tweaking her for an alleged "breach of etiquette" because she walked off of Air Force One in front of President Trump after they landed at the airport in Helsinki on Sunday night. 
 
 __ 
 
 12:05 p.m. 
 
 Finland's biggest newspaper has a message for Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin: Respect a free press. 
 
 Daily Helsingin Sanomat has placed advertisements around Helsinki alluding to Finland's reputation as a hub for a free press. The advocacy group Reporters Without Borders has regularly ranked Finland among the top in its "Press Freedom Index" — including the No. 1 spot two years ago. 
 
 The Russian in one of the black and white ads translates to: "Unpleasant things will happen to journalists who ask Putin questions." 
 
 An English version for Trump said: "Mr. President, welcome to the land of free press." 
 
 Trump regularly berates some news outlets as purveyors of "fake news." Putin is regarded as creating a culture of violence that has led to the killing of some Russian journalists. 
 
 ___ 
 
 11:40 a.m. 
 
 The European Union's foreign policy chief says the United States has remained a "friend" of the 28-nation bloc and said "a change in the administration does not change the friendship between countries and peoples." 
 
 On Sunday, President Donald Trump named the European Union as a top adversary of the United States, saying "the European Union is a foe, what they do to us in trade." He added that "you wouldn't think of the European Union, but they're a foe." 
 
 The EU's Federica Mogherini (feh-deh-REE'-kah moh-gehr-EE'-nee) says ahead of Monday's meeting of EU foreign ministers that "for sure, we consider the United States friends, partners - close friends and partners. We will always do that." 
 
 Trump is meeting with Russia's Vladimir Putin in Helsinki on Monday. 
 
 __ 
 
 10:15 a.m. 
 
 President Donald Trump says his upcoming meeting with Russia's Vladimir Putin will go "fine." 
 
 Trump made the brief prediction Monday at a breakfast at Finland's presidential residence in Helsinki. 
 
 He was meeting with Finland's President Sauli Niinistö (SAW-lee KNEE-nes-tuh) in the hours before his highly anticipated summit with Putin. 
 
 Trump thanked his Finnish counterpart for hosting the summit in Helsinki and spoke of his commitment to NATO. 
 
 Trump was a destabilizing presence at NATO earlier in his European trip, torching allies and demanding more defense spending before eventually reaffirming his commitment to the military alliance. 
 
 NATO at its heart is a bulwark against Russian aggression. Finland is not a member nation but has a memorandum of understanding with NATO. 
 
 Finland has also been the site of previous US-Russia summits. 
 
 __ 
 
 9:50 a.m. 
 
 President Donald Trump is meeting with the Finnish president ahead of his summit with Russia's Vladimir Putin. 
 
 Trump has arrived at the the Mäntyniemi Residence in Helsinki, where he and first lady Melania Trump were greeted by President Sauli Niinistö (SAW-lee KNEE-nes-tuh) and his wife. 
 
 The leaders were seen surveying the view from a small balcony before sitting down for breakfast. 
 
 Trump will then be returning to his hotel before heading to the presidential palace for his highly anticipated talks with Putin. 
 
 Finland has a long legacy of hosting U.S.-Soviet and U.S.-Russian summits due to its geographic location and perceived neutrality. 
 
 __ 
 
 9:45 a.m. 
 
 President Donald Trump is no fan of American journalists, but might love what the Russian media are saying about him ahead of his meeting with Russian Vladimir Putin. 
 
 Russia's largely Kremlin-friendly TV networks, websites and newspapers portrayed Trump as a political maverick who is being unfairly targeted by his own compatriots. 
 
 Newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda dismissed the U.S. investigation into Trump's "mythical work for the Kremlin," and praised Trump for meeting Putin "despite opposition from his own elite and the hysterics of the media." 
 
 Commentators on popular Sunday night talk show "Vecher" or "Evening" said Putin goes into Monday's summit in Helsinki as the stronger figure, notably coming off his hosting of the World Cup. 
 
 They brushed off new indictments of Russians accused of hacking the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign. 
 
 __ 
 
 9:20 a.m. 
 
 President Donald Trump says the U.S. relationship with Russia "has NEVER been worse" as he prepares for a high-stakes summit Monday with Russia's Vladimir Putin. 
 
 Trump in a tweet is blaming the hostilities on "many years of U.S. foolishness and stupidity and now, the Rigged Witch Hunt!" 
 
 That's Trump's favorite derogatory term for the special counsel investigation into Russian election meddling and possible ties to his campaign that has already led to a slew of indictments, including of a dozen Russian intelligence officers last week. 
 
 Trump is also once again blaming his predecessor, Barack Obama, for failing to stop Russia's efforts in the 2016 election. 
 
 He says Obama "thought that Crooked Hillary was going to win the election," so he did "NOTHING" about it when informed by the FBI. 
 
 __ 
 
 9:05 a.m. 
 
 President Donald Trump is claiming credit for bolstering NATO as he heads into a day of meetings with Russia's Vladimir Putin. 
 
 Trump rocked a NATO summit last week when he lambasted members for failing to meet defense spending pledges and questioned the value of the alliance before doing a 180 and embracing it. 
 
 But Trump says in a tweet that he's received "many calls from leaders of NATO countries" thanking him for helping "to get them focused on financial obligations, both present & future." 
 
 Trump says, "We had a truly great Summit" and claims it was "inaccurately covered by much of the media." 
 
 Foreign policy observers will be watching to see whether Trump has kinder words for Putin in Helsinki than he did for NATO leaders in Brussels. 
 
 __ 
 
 7:50 a.m. 
 
 European Council President Donald Tusk has urged President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and China to work with Europe to avoid trade wars and prevent conflict and chaos. 
 
 Tusk was speaking Monday in Beijing at the opening of a summit between China and the European Union. He noted that Trump and Putin's summit in Helsinki would take place on the same day in Helsinki. 
 
 Of the summit, Tusk said: "We are all aware of the fact that the architecture of the world is changing before our very eyes and it is our common responsibility to make it a change for the better." 
 
 Tusk said Europe, China, the U.S. and Russia had a "common duty" not to destroy the global order but to improve it by reforming international trade rules. 
 
 ___ 
 
 7:10 a.m. 
 
 President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin are ready to go one-on-one in Finland. 
 
 Their summit Monday in Helsinki will play out against a backdrop of fraying Western alliances, the investigation into Russian election meddling and fears that Moscow's aggression may go unpunished. 
 
 The meeting was condemned in advance by an assortment of members of Congress from both parties after the U.S. indictment last week of 12 Russians accused of hacking Democrats in the 2016 election to help Trump. 
 
 Undeterred, the American president is set to go face-to-face with Putin, the authoritarian leader for whom he has expressed admiration. 
 
 Questions are swirling about whether Trump will sharply rebuke his Russian counterpart for the election meddling that prompted a special counsel probe. ||||| Washington (CNN) President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, spoke for a second time on July 7 in a previously undisclosed discussion, the White House confirmed on Tuesday. 
 
 A senior White House official told CNN the discussion was "nearly an hour." 
 
 The White House, in a statement acknowledging the meeting, contended it was "brief" and said Trump spoke with Putin through Russia's translator. The US translator at the dinner -- each country was only allowed only one -- spoke Japanese, the White House said. 
 
 National Security Council spokesman Michael Anton said no other staff were present for the discussion. 
 
 The White House statement said the conversation took place in full view of other world leaders and their spouses at a dinner hosted by German Chancellor Angela Merkel during the G20 summit. Trump was seated near Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Abe's wife, while first lady Melania Trump was seated next to Putin. 
 
 The White House said Trump went over to his wife and spoke with Putin near the dinner's end. 
 
 The discussion came after their scheduled, two-hour-long bilateral meeting earlier that day. 
 
 Russian President Vladimir Putin seen top right, next to US First Lady Melania Trump at a banquet during the G20 Summit in Hamburg. 
 
 The White House, in its statement, sought to downplay the significance of the discussion. 
 
 "It is not merely perfectly normal, it is part of a president's duties, to interact with world leaders," the statement said. 
 
 The statement also disputed characterizing the discussion as a "second meeting," but instead called it a "brief conversation." 
 
 Trump responded to reports of the meeting later Tuesday evening on Twitter. 
 
 "Fake News story of secret dinner with Putin is "sick." All G 20 leaders, and spouses, were invited by the Chancellor of Germany. Press knew!" Trump tweeted, following it up with another, saying: "The Fake News is becoming more and more dishonest! Even a dinner arranged for top 20 leaders in Germany is made to look sinister!" 
 
 Fake News story of secret dinner with Putin is "sick." All G 20 leaders, and spouses, were invited by the Chancellor of Germany. Press knew! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 19, 2017 
 
 The Fake News is becoming more and more dishonest! Even a dinner arranged for top 20 leaders in Germany is made to look sinister! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 19, 2017 
 
 News of the discussion, however, was not that Trump had attended the dinner, but that he had an undisclosed and one-on-one discussion with Putin at it. 
 
 'Only the Russians will have a transcript' 
 
 US presidents at summits often hold private and impromptu discussions with other world leaders. However, the lack of immediate disclosure from the administration as well as Trump's own posture with regard to Russia raised significant questions following reports of the discussion having taken place. 
 
 John Kirby, a CNN diplomatic and military analyst who was a spokesman for the State Department during the Obama administration, said smaller, informal meetings were common and were often where "heavy lifting" could get done. But he also pointed out potentially problematic aspects of the meeting. 
 
 JUST WATCHED Tillerson says sanctions to remain on Russia Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Tillerson says sanctions to remain on Russia 01:15 
 
 "While smaller pull-aside meetings are common, it is strange that a pull-aside with someone like Putin -- especially Putin -- would not include at least another national security official and a translator," Kirby said. 
 
 He pointed out that the lack of a US translator or other support meant the US would be without a scrupulous translation or a record of what was discussed. 
 
 "In this case, we have none of these things," Kirby said. "And only the Russians will have a transcript. Not good." 
 
 Democratic Delaware Sen. Chris Coons, speaking on CNN's "The Situation Room" with Wolf Blitzer, said he had heard of the meeting from a source on Tuesday morning. Coons said his source suggested Trump got up and went over to sit down and speak with Putin "for a very long period of time." 
 
 "There was a couples-only social dinner at the G20. Toward the end, the President spoke to Putin at the dinner." 
 
 "No staff or Cabinet were at the dinner at all, for any of the countries," with the exception of translators, Anton said. 
 
 Coons said Trump didn't bring a US translator and relied on Putin's, which the senator called a "basic failure in terms of national security protocol." 
 
 Asked if there was any depth to the conversation, Coons said there was no way to know. ||||| Play Facebook 
 
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 President Donald Trump was on diplomatic desk duty Saturday, fielding a flurry of prearranged phone calls from foreign leaders as his executive order creating an immigration crackdown in the United States caused a ripple of confusion at airports around the world. 
 
 After a hectic first week in the White House, Trump took calls privately from the Oval Office. The day of diplomacy included cordial congratulations given to the new leader of the free world, as well as serious discussions about some of the world's most pressing issues. 
 
 President Donald Trump speaks on the phone with Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel from the Oval Office of the White House on Jan. 28, 2017. Mandel Ngan / AFP - Getty Images 
 
 While Trump took the calls, he began getting push back from Democrats and human rights groups angered over his executive order closing the nation’s borders to U.S. legal permanent residents and visa-holders from certain Muslim-majority countries. His day also included the introduction of more executive orders. 
 
 Trump has been juggling discussions with foreign leaders this week, just nine days into his unorthodox presidency. He hosted British Prime Minister Theresa May at the White House on Friday and earlier tried to smooth over tensions with another U.S. ally, Mexico, whose president bristled at Trump's rhetoric surrounding the building of a border wall. 
 
 The phone calls with foreign leaders Saturday included: 
 
 Russian President Vladimir Putin 
 
 Trump's most anticipated conversation was with Putin, whose country is accused of engaging in cyberattacks to influence the recent U.S. election. 
 
 The approximately hour-long call was described as "positive" and "a significant start to improving the relationship between the United States and Russia that is in need of repair," The White House said in a statement. 
 
 The White House said the pair discussed a number of international issues from fighting terrorism to the conflict in Syria. They also discussed the crisis in the Ukraine, the Kremlin said on its website. 
 
 "Both President Trump and President Putin are hopeful that after today's call the two sides can move quickly to tackle terrorism and other important issues of mutual concern," the White House said. 
 
 Putin and Trump agreed to work on stabilizing U.S.-Russian relations, which became strained under the Obama administration, the Kremlin said. 
 
 Putin congratulated Trump and wished him success, the White House said. 
 
 The leaders also said they would "maintain regular personal contacts," the Kremlin added, and would work out a date to meet face-to-face. 
 
 According to White House press secretary Sean Spicer, Trump took the call while he was with some of his top advisers, including Vice President Mike Pence, White House chief strategist Steve Bannon and chief of staff Reince Priebus. 
 
 After speaking with Chancellor Merkel for 45 minutes @POTUS is now onto his 3rd of 5 head of government calls, speaking w Russian Pres Putin pic.twitter.com/RPAWIgcO2C — Sean Spicer (@PressSec) January 28, 2017 
 
 Trump, who has repeatedly praised the Russian president, told reporters on Friday that it's "very early" to talk about lifting any sanctions against Russia that were imposed by the Obama administration as punishment. 
 
 German Chancellor Angela Merkel 
 
 The call between Trump and Merkel lasted about 45 minutes, according to Spicer, and covered a slate of international affairs, including Russia and Ukraine, the Middle East and North Africa. 
 
 The conversation also centered around keeping NATO strong and having a stable transatlantic relationship, the White House said. 
 
 .@POTUS speaks with German Chancellor Merkel from the Oval Office. One of five heads of government calls today pic.twitter.com/xMNl3A3Iw0 — Sean Spicer (@PressSec) January 28, 2017 
 
 Trump last year called for NATO members to pay their fair financial burden as part of the alliance, and suggested the U.S. otherwise might not step in to defend members under attack in the Baltic — setting off concern among the international community. 
 
 Trump and Merkel discussed how NATO thrives with all allies "contributing their fair share to our collective security," the White House said. 
 
 The pair's discussion likely required more diplomatic savvy after Trump spent his presidential campaign both slamming Merkel for "ruining Germany" over her immigration stances and calling her as his favorite world leader at one point. 
 
 Trump on Saturday agreed to attend the G-20 Summit in Germany in July, and said he would invite the chancellor to Washington. Also in the room during the call were Bannon and Priebus. 
 
 French President Francois Hollande 
 
 Hollande was more pointed in his first official phone conversation with Trump. He warned the real estate mogul-turned-politician against taking a protectionist approach in the U.S., which could have economic and political consequences, a statement from the French president's office said. 
 
 "In an unstable and uncertain world, turning inward would be a dead-end," Hollande told Trump, according to the statement. 
 
 Hollande announced last month he will not run for re-election this year after a first-term undermined by high unemployment and the rise of French nationalism. 
 
 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe 
 
 Trump spoke with Abe about maintaining the U.S.-Japanese alliance and affirmed America's "ironclad" commitment to ensuring the security of Japan, the White House said in a statement. 
 
 Among the other topics discussed were newly sworn-in Defense Secretary James Mattis' upcoming trip to Asia, including Japan, as well as continued cooperation on handling North Korea and deepening bilateral trade. 
 
 The White House did not detail whether Trump and Abe discussed the auto industry, which has been regularly admonished by the president. Japanese officials in recent weeks have expressed frustration over the attacks, including Trump's rebuke of U.S. automakers that build cars in lower-cost foreign factories. 
 
 Trump and Abe agreed to meet at the White House on Feb. 10, Spicer said.
– President Trump has an important phone call on his docket Tuesday: He'll be speaking with Vladimir Putin at 12:30pm Eastern. The talk comes less than a month after Trump said US-Russian relations "may be at an all-time low," notes the Wall Street Journal. The most recent tension flared when the US accused Moscow of lying about a chemical attack on civilians in Syria, and Reuters expect Syria's civil war to be a topic of discussion. Trump and Putin have spoken twice by phone since Trump took office, notes Radio Free Europe, which adds that the two leaders have not scheduled a face-to-face meeting. Both are expected to attend the G20 summit in Germany in July. Before talking with Trump, Putin will host German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Black Sea city of Sochi. It's their first meeting in two years, with ties strained in the wake of Russia's military action in Ukraine, reports NPR.