Putin thanks Trump for intelligence-sharing

By Emre Gurkan Abay

MOSCOW

Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump on Sunday for help in foiling an attack in St. Petersburg.

In a phone call, Putin told Trump that information the CIA provided led to the arrest of terrorists plotting an alleged attack on Kazan Cathedral and other public places, according to a statement by the Kremlin.

Putin assured Trump that if Russian intelligence services receive information about terrorist threats to the U.S., they will promptly inform Washington.

In a separate readout of the conversation, the White House added Trump appreciated Putin's call, telling the Russian president " that he and the entire United States intelligence community were pleased to have helped save so many lives".

If the attack had occurred it "could have killed large numbers of people", the White House said.

Trump later phoned CIA Director Mike Pompeo to congratulate him directly for the agency's role in foiling the plot, according to the White House.

*Michael Hernandez contributed to this report from Washington

By Emre Gurkan Abay

MOSCOW

Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump on Sunday for help in foiling an attack in St. Petersburg.

Putin assured Trump that if Russian intelligence services receive information about terrorist threats to the U.S., they will promptly inform Washington.

If the attack had occurred it "could have killed large numbers of people", the White House said.

Trump later phoned CIA Director Mike Pompeo to congratulate him directly for the agency's role in foiling the plot, according to the White House.

*Michael Hernandez contributed to this report from Washington