Putin: joint efforts needed to solve problems in Russia-US ties

Russian President Vladimir Putin is confident that problems in relations between Russia and the US can be solved, but joint efforts towards that are needed.

"We do have positive things to discuss. But I am speaking about what impedes this. You have hysteria there, we show displeasure - you are taking down flags, closing diplomatic missions. So what is good in it? This is all the result of amassed problems," he said. "Can they be solved or not? I think this is possible. Let us work towards this together. We need your advice and recommendations, this is what we get together for at the Valdai Club," he told a session of Valdai International Discussion Club.

The President said an unprecedented anti-Russian campaign has been launched in the US. "Somebody simply lost the election to Mr. Trump, the whole blame was put on Russia and frantic anti-Russian hysteria was launched. I cannot call it otherwise. Any issue, any failure of somebody is associated with Russia. (They say) on any issue: look for the Russian trace, and they immediately find it," TASS cited Putin as saying.

Putin noted he was relying on facts, not on stereotypes in his negative view. In particular, he mentioned the fact of the elimination of chemical weapons, the fact of the elimination of weapons-grade plutonium, the fact of West’s support for separatism and radicalism in the North Caucasus, air attacks on Belgrade without UN Security Council’s sanctioning that, and an intervention in Iraq.

"But this does not mean that our relations saw nothing good in the previous years. I will never forget, for example, Bill Clinton’s support as I was making first steps back as prime minister. We established very good, positive, so kind human relations with him," Putin summed up.