Washington and Moscow are expected to reveal later on Thursday the date and location of a summit between their leaders. US National Security Adviser John Bolton visited Moscow to help set the stage for the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. CGTN's Lucy Taylor reports.

Just last year, John Bolton warned that the United States would negotiate with Russia 'at its peril'.

Now, as Donald Trump's National Security Adviser, Bolton was in Moscow - shaking hands with President Vladimir Putin.

And together they agreed the much-anticipated summit would take place.

VLADIMIR PUTIN PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA "Your visit to Moscow raises our hopes that we can take the first steps to restoring full-fledged relations between our governments."

But the meeting is sure to bring criticism from certain corners of Washington.

The two sides are at odds over Syria, Russia's annexation of Ukraine, and not least, alleged Russian interference in US elections.

Bolton told reporters it was Trump's own desire to meet Putin.

JOHN BOLTON US NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER "The President recognizes that there may be some criticism of this decision to hold a meeting, you've heard some of it here today. But that what must guide his conduct of American foreign policy is the pursuit of American national interest. And he judges correctly in my view that this bilateral summit between himself and President Putin is something he needs to do and will do regardless of political criticism at home."

LUCY TAYLOR MOSCOW "Even Bolton himself has spoken out in the past against negotiating with Russia. But here, he was clear: President Trump wants a summit with Vladimir Putin, and believes it is in his country's best interest. He indicated that holding a summit in itself could be regarded as an accomplishment - regardless of what might result from one. Lucy Taylor, CGTN in Moscow."