MOSCOW, July 1 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said that relations between the United States and Russia are not in good shape, but Russia is ready for constructive dialogue on equal terms.
“We have always tried to be predictable partners, handle business on an equal basis, but in return our legal interests were partially ignored and are still ignored,” Putin said during a meeting with Russian ambassadors and permanent representatives.
Putin said that Russian and US contacts have a great meaning for the entire world.
“We are ready for constructive dialogue, but, again I emphasize, only on equal terms,” the Russian president said.
Relations between Moscow and Washington soured as tensions in crisis-torn Ukraine started to escalate.
The March 16 referendum in Crimea that resulted in the republic’s reunification with Russia was denounced as illegitimate by Washington, and led to a series of US sanctions against a number of Russian individuals and companies. Washington has also repeatedly threatened Moscow with tougher economic sanctions.
The restrictive measures were condemned by Russia as counterproductive.
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev suggested in May that US President Barack Obama should show more political tact in easing the relations crisis with Russia, as the current American policy is nullifying everything achieved over the past few years of the “reset” and is leading to a new “cold war.”
