White House: Putin called Trump to thank him for CIA intel that prevented a terror attack in Russia

AP

• Russian President Vladimir Putin called President Donald Trump to thank him for critical CIA intelligence that foiled several planned bombings on Russian soil.
• It is the second phone call between the two leaders since Thursday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin called President Donald Trump on Sunday to thank him for critical CIA intelligence that helped thwart a series of bombings in St. Petersburg, the White House said.

Based on the information the US provided, Russian authorities were able to track down and detain "a group of terrorists" that was planning to bomb the Kazan Cathedral and other sites in the city, the Kremlin said earlier. The would-be attackers are now incarcerated.

The Kremlin said Putin asked Trump to convey his gratitude to the CIA and said Russian law enforcement agencies will hand over any information they get about potential terror threats against the United States, as they have done in the past.

Trump "appreciated the call and told President Putin that he and the entire United States intelligence community were pleased to have helped save so many lives," according to the White House readout of the call. Trump also emphasized the importance of intelligence-sharing when it comes to combatting terrorism, and "both leaders agreed that this serves as an example of the positive things that can occur when our countries work together."

After the phone call, Trump called CIA director Mike Pompeo to congratulate him and the US intelligence community for their work.

The conversation is the second phone call between the two leaders since Thursday, and it comes as Trump's cozy relationship with Russia draws heightened scrutiny, particularly after the Kremlin ordered Russia to interfere in the 2016 election.

Trump has repeatedly criticized the multiple congressional and FBI investigations into Russia's meddling - and whether the Trump campaign colluded with Moscow - as politically-motivated "witch hunts," and he has frequently expressed the desire to foster closer ties with Russia.