<sod >In a statement, Russian  Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that Kremlin officials had been in contact with members of Trumpâs campaign before the election, prompting further questions about the nature and extent of the relationship between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.< eod>< sod > In a statement last week, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that Kremlin officials had been in contact with members of Mr Trumpâs campaign before the election, prompting further questions about the nature and extent of the relationship between Mr Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.< eod>