Trump says to meet with Putin in 'not too distant future'

The White House said in a statement that Trump and Putin in their phone call earlier on Tuesday discussed the bilateral relations, resolving to continue dialogue about mutual national security priorities and challenges.

During the phone call, Trump also emphasized the importance of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, according to the statement.

Putin was re-elected Russian president for the fourth time in a landslide victory on Sunday, garnering more than 76 percent of the vote.

Trump's remarks on his possible meeting with Putin came less than a month after the United States bridled at Putin's missile plan, saying US defense capabilities remain "unmatched" and "second to none."

The US Department of Defense rolled out its budget for fiscal year 2019 in late February, asking Congress for $716 billion for arms purchases and a staff expansion.