Preparations for a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump are at a “advanced stage”, a senior MP said today, according to the Russian state -run news agency RIA.

According to RIA, Leonid Slutsky, head of the International Affairs Committee in the State Duma, said the meeting could take place in February or March.

“This job requires serious preparation, which – I do not reveal a secret – is at the moment at an advanced stage,” he said.

Slutsky refused to speculate when the meeting could take place.

“February or March – let’s not afford and let its leaders get ready for it in a sufficient and complete way, but it will be soon,” he said according to the RIA.

Trump and Putin have both stated that they wish to have a meeting whose agenda may include control of nuclear weapons and world energy prices as well as Trump’s stated intention to quickly end the war in Ukraine.

Slutsky also said he expects the two leaders to talk about the situation in the Middle East.