SOCHI, November 7. /TASS/. Russia is open to contacts with the United States on restoring relations, but the initiative should come from Washington as the party that spoiled them, President Vladimir Putin said at the Valdai Discussion Club’s plenary session.
"We are open to this, but the ball is in the United States’ court. We have never done anything to spoil relations," he pointed out. "We have not imposed any restrictions or sanctions. Nor do we contribute to any armed conflict on territories close to the US."
"We have never aspired to this. In practice we have never allowed ourselves to act this way. It is unclear why the United States feels free to do so," Putin added. "I hope that it will eventually dawn upon them that it is better not to do this, if we don't wish any global conflicts."
"The president-elect of the United States, Mr. Donald Trump, has been speaking in roughly the same vein. It remains to be seen how this will function in reality," Putin concluded.