"Dear Donald": Putin sends letter to Trump for 250 years of the USA

The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, sent this Saturday a personal message of "sincere congratulations" to the President of the United States, Donald Trump, on the 250th anniversary of American independence.

In the message, he addressed Trump first as "esteemed Mr. President" and then as "esteemed Donald".

"The signing of the United States Declaration of Independence not only marked the beginning of your nation's existence, but also constituted a fundamental milestone in world history," Putin wrote in a letter published by an official Kremlin channel. "At that time, Russia unconditionally supported the North American colonists in their struggle to free themselves from British rule."

The Russian leader, whose relationship with Trump was often turbulent, praised the historic collaboration between the two countries and highlighted the alliance during the First and Second World Wars, as well as the defeat of Nazism, as joint achievements.

"Today, Russia and the United States - as the two largest nuclear powers - have a special responsibility to ensure security and stability on a global scale," Putin said, adding: "I am convinced that the establishment of constructive relations, based on equality and mutual benefit, between Moscow and Washington serves not only the interests of our peoples, but also those of the entire international community."

Putin's message had an unusually informal and cordial tone, using the Russian equivalent of "you", reserved for close friends, rather than the more formal address normally used in official communications.

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Source: CNN