TRUMP: No guarantee on Russian relationship

President Donald Trump has said he wants
a "great relationship" with Russia, but
would not say if he would lift US sanctions
against the country.
Mr Trump and Russian President Vladimir
Putin will speak on Saturday, according to the
White House and Kremlin.
They are expected to discuss bilateral affairs
and national security in the first call since the
inauguration.
But Mr Trump said it was "very early" to talk
about the sanctions imposed on the country
by his predecessor.
He was asked about his plans in a joint press
conference with UK Prime Minister Theresa
May on her visit to Washington - the first
national leader to be welcomed by the
president.
"We will see what happens," said Mr Trump.
"We look to have a great relationship with all
countries, ideally. That won't necessarily
happen, unfortunately, [and it] probably won't
happen with many countries.
"But if we could have [a relationship] as we do
with Prime Minister May… if we can have a
great relationship with Russia and with China
and with all countries, I am all for that.
"That would be a tremendous asset. No
guarantees, but if we can, that would be a
positive, not a negative."