MOSCOW, June 30. /TASS/. Russia is prepared to work with any future US president but on an equal footing, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday at a meeting with Russia’s ambassadors.

"Of course, we will respect the choice of American voters and are prepared to work with any future president," he said, adding that Russia is interested in cooperating with the US closely in international affairs.

"However, we consider unacceptable the approach of the part of the American establishment, which believes that they can decide in what issues they will cooperate with us and in what areas all sorts of pressure on us, including sanctions, should be stepped up. We favor equitable partnership taking into account each other’s interests. We will work on such a basis only," Putin said.

The US presidential election will be held in November. The new president will take office in January 2017 after a traditional transition period. The presidential candidates are Republican Donald Trump and Democrat and former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Incumbent President Barack Obama who has no right to run again when his term of office expires and is leaving the White House has supported the candidacy of the former secretary of state.