Asked on Russia 1's talk show about who could play a role of a go-between Russia and the US, Vyasheslav Nikonov said that this role could be played by family relations.

The chair of the State Duma's education and science committee referred to Melania Trump, but also her grandfather, who he said had fought among the Partisans in the forests of Belarus.

Nikonov told the 60 Minuts show that he visited Slovenia during Putin's visit to the country in July, when the two countries marked the 100th anniversary of the Russian Chapel.

He also said that there were no "Russiaphobes" in Slovenia.

The talk show was dedicated to an analysis of possible effects Trump's victory could have for international politics.