Vladimir Putin thanks Donald Trump for tip which Russia says foiled terror attacks

President Vladimir Putin has thanked President Donald Trump for US information that allowed Russia to foil terrorist attacks over the New Year's holiday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and then-US President Donald Trump during the 2019 G20 Summit in Japan. Source: AAP

Russia says it has thwarted terrorist attacks reportedly planned in St Petersburg thanks to a tip from Washington, bringing personal thanks again from President Vladimir Putin to his US counterpart Donald Trump.

Russian news agencies cited the Federal Security Service (FSB) as saying that thanks to the information, two Russians were detained on 27 December on suspicion of plotting attacks during New Year festivities in St Petersburg.

Russian President Vladimir Putin called US President Donald Trump to thank him for the tip this week. Source: AP

The Kremlin said Mr Putin passed on his gratitude to Mr Trump during a phone call on Sunday for the tip from US special services. It gave no further details.

Diplomatic ties between Washington and Moscow are fraught over disagreements from Ukraine to Syria and allegations of Russian meddling in the US presidential election, but Mr Trump and Mr Putin have managed to keep personal lines open.

Two years ago, the Russian leader also phoned Mr Trump to thank him for .

Russia has repeatedly been the target of attacks by militant groups, including the Islamic State.

Sunday's Kremlin statement said Mr Putin and Mr Trump agreed to continue bilateral cooperation to tackle terrorism.