Preparations for a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump are at an "advanced stage", Russian state news agency RIA quoted a senior lawmaker as saying on Thursday.

Former U.S. Ambassador Michael McFaul and investigative journalist Roman Anin dissect Trump and Putin’s shared traits, warn against rushed Ukraine negotiations and underscore the critical role of journalists in countering an era of misinformation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump have yet to discuss a possible meeting, CNN quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying. It cited Peskov as saying there had been no initial contacts between the two leaders about whether such a meeting was needed or where and how it might take place if it did happen.

The Kremlin said on Monday it had yet to receive any signals from the United States about arranging a possible meeting between President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump, but remained ready to organise such an encounter.

Russian officials hint at a February or March meeting that could address key global issues, including the war in Ukraine and energy prices.

Russian President Vladimir Putin could meet with former U.S. President Donald Trump sometime in February or March, a senior Russian lawmaker said Thursday. Leonid Slutsky, chairman of the State Duma’s International Affairs Committee,