Russia's Putin congratulates Donald Trump as he takes office for the second time

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday welcomed Donald Trump's stated intent to "restore contact with Russia" in a congratulatory message as the new US president took office for the second time.

During an operational meeting with Russia's Security Council, Putin said that his country values the new US administration's statements regarding its intention to reestablish direct communications with Russia and its commitment to taking all necessary measures to avert World War III.

"We see statements by the newly elected US President and members of his team about the desire to restore direct contacts with Russia, which were interrupted through no fault of ours by the outgoing administration," he said.

"We also hear his statements about the need to do everything to prevent a third world war. Of course, we welcome this attitude and congratulate the elected President of the United States of America on taking office," Putin added.

The Russian President also expressed his willingness to engage in discussions regarding the Ukraine conflict.

While Trump has pledged to broker a peace deal in Ukraine, as he takes office, peace seems as elusive as ever.

Ahead of his inauguration, Trump said a meeting with Putin was being planned. "President Putin wants to meet; he's said that even publicly, and we have to get that war over with," Trump said on 9 January.

In 2018, Trump and Putin met at a one-on-one summit in Helsinki, a meeting that saw both leaders warm up to each other.

Moscow and Kyiv are seeking battlefield gains to strengthen their negotiating positions ahead of any prospective talks to end the war, which is nearing its third anniversary.

In the past year, Russian troops have slowly but steadily advanced through Ukrainian defences,