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Russia respects choice of Americans — Medvedev

"We are ready to develop contacts with President-elect Donald Trump and with the vice president whom I have already congratulated," the Russian prime minister said

JERUSALEM, November 9. /TASS/. Russia respects the choice of American people and is ready to develop contacts with President-elect Donald Trump, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev told journalists on Wednesday.

"Firstly, this is the sovereign choice of citizens of the United States of America," Medvedev said. "Secondly, we respect it. Of course, we are ready to develop contacts with President-elect Donald Trump and with the vice president whom I have already congratulated," he added.

Medvedev said he agrees with assessments of US election provided earlier by the Russian president and MPs.

At the same time, the prime minister stressed that further development of Russian-US relations will depend on the attitude of the new US Administration. "If they are ready for full-format cooperation with our country, ready to turn this sad page that has been written over the last several years by the current US Administration, then we are ready for that as well," Medvedev said adding that Russia and US bear special responsibility for maintaining global security.

"The specific trait of this situation for the US political system is that it has enabled a so-called off-system candidate to win," he said. "As I was sitting in the jet (on the way from Moscow to Jerusalem) I was reading comments of all sorts. Some say Trump gained the upper hand over the system but I think that's not quite correct. I think it was the system that gave the incumbent winner an opportunity to win," Medvedev concluded.