Russian President Vladimir Putin said he's ready to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the G20 summit in Japan next week.
He made the comments during his annual phone-in, in which members of the public are invited to call and ask questions.
"Dialogue is always good, There's always a demand for it. Sure, if the U.S. side shows an interest towards it, we are ready for a dialogue, as far as our U.S. partners are ready for it," Putin said.
His comments raise the prospect of a Trump-Putin meeting in Osaka, Japan, on the sidelines of the G20 summit.
President Putin's annual call-in show in Moscow broadcast live across Russia, June 20, 2019. /VCG Photo
Last time the two leaders held a full bilateral meeting, Trump controversially said he accepted Putin's word that Russia did not meddle in the U.S. election.
Putin said he hoped the two countries could now "normalize" relations.
But he went on to warn the U.S. about starting a conflict with Iran.
"I want to say it would be a catastrophe for the region at least. It would lead to an influx of violence and possibly to an increase of flow of refugees from the region," he said.
Maria Lipman, a Russian political expert, said that the event would allow Putin to portray himself as "peace-loving."
"I think he presented himself as savvy, wise, not confrontational, and well-wishing. He wanted to come across as sounding conciliatory and peace-loving – blaming the hostility on the other side, on the West," said Lipman.