Putin's comments show a sharp change in the Kremlin's stance back in November when they refused to congratulate Trump on his victory, stating the US being "unfriendly" to Russia as the reason.

The Russian president stressed he was open to dialogue with the new US administration on Ukraine and nuclear arms

Putin has said repeatedly that he is prepared to negotiate an end to the war, which first began in 2014, but that Ukraine would have to accept the reality of Russian territorial gains, which are currently about 20% of its land. He also refuses to allow Ukraine to join Nato.