Putin Emphasizes Russia's Willingness to Enhance Relations with the US
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Moscow, Dec 23 (NationPress) Russian President Vladimir Putin affirmed that Russia has not abandoned its aspiration to improve ties with the United States, during an interview.
"Everything is achievable if there is a genuine desire. We have never relinquished this ambition," Putin conveyed to Pavel Zarubin, a journalist from Russia's state TV and radio company VGTRK, when queried about the potential for enhancing Russia-US relations, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
The President was addressing inquiries regarding the feasibility of normalizing relations between Russia and the United States, according to information from the Russian news agency TASS.
Putin expressed that Russia is open to fostering relationships with other nations, provided these endeavors do not undermine Russian interests.
"If we choose to build relations with any country, it will be strictly in alignment with the interests of the Russian state," he stated.
He referenced historical events from the 19th and 20th centuries to highlight the evolution of international relations, recalling that after the Crimea War of 1853-1856, when Russia faced numerous restrictions, the then-Foreign Minister of the Russian Empire, Alexander Gorchakov, sent out a letter stating, "Russia is not angry. Russia is concentrating."
"Over time, as Russia focused its efforts, it regained all its rights in the Black Sea and became stronger," Putin remarked.
Recently, Russia issued a warning to its citizens advising against travel to the United States and other western nations, alleging they could be "hunted" by authorities in these countries, as reported by Al Jazeera.
According to the outlet, Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, characterized US-Russia relations as being "on the verge of rupture".
