WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- The White House on Wednesday confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump's "letter of introduction" was sent by a U.S. senator to Russia's top leader Vladimir Putin.

According to a statement issued by Hogan Gidley, the White House deputy press secretary, "at Senator Paul's request, President Trump provided a letter of introduction."

"In the letter, the President mentioned topics of interest that Senator Paul wanted to discuss with President Putin," the statement read.

U.S. Republican Senator Rand Paul said earlier on Wednesday that he has delivered a letter from Trump to the Russian Government, and the letter "emphasized the importance of further engagement in various areas including countering terrorism, enhancing legislative dialogue and resuming cultural exchanges."

The White House said on July 27 that Trump is open to visiting Moscow and looks forward to having Putin in Washington, in response to Putin's statement that he's ready to invite Trump to Moscow and to visit Washington himself if the conditions are right.