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Putin: Russians do not see US as enemy

Thursday, 15 June 2017 1:54 PM [ Last Update: Thursday, 15 June 2017 5:38 PM ]

Russian President Vladimir Putin answers questions during the annual "Direct Line with Vladimir Putin broadcast live" in Moscow on June 15, 2017. (AFP photo)

Russian President Vladimir Putin says Moscow does not consider the US to be an enemy, as the two countries were allies in two world wars.

Putin was speaking Thursday at his annual Q&A, where he discusses a host of important issues and poignant questions brought forward by the people of Russia.

Asked how he could convince his fellow Americans that Russia was not an enemy, Putin reiterated his assertion that the anti-Russian sentiment in the US come from internal political strife in America.

"The Russophobia currently evolving in the United States – we can see it and we believe that this is the outcome of a spiraling domestic struggle for power," he said.

The president said Moscow believes US-Russia relations will return to normal because Russia has “many friends” in the US, although “media hysteria” has taken its toll on bilateral relations.

Putin criticized the congressional testimony made by former FBI Director James Comey, who accused Russia of meddling in last year’s US presidential election.

It’s "a good enough thing" Comey did not accuse Russia of interference in the vote count during the election, Putin said.

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Putin also said Moscow seeks to restart negotiations with Washington on several critical global issues, including nuclear arms control, non-proliferation, combating poverty and climate change.

He mentioned the 2015 landmark Iran nuclear deal as "a positive example of our cooperation" with Washington. "This means we can negotiate and work together. The Syrian issue, the Middle East issue – it’s obvious to everyone that nothing will be achieved without our constructive dialogue," Putin said.

US Representative Adam Schiff (R) speaks during a news conference discussing Russian sanctions on Capitol Hill, February 15, 2017. (AFP photo)

The US Senate voted nearly unanimously on Wednesday to impose new sanctions against Russia and limit President Donald Trump’s powers to lift the bans without congressional consent.

The move came as an investigation was underway into the pro-Kremlin president’s possible collusion with Russia during the 2016 campaign and transition.

Since he started running for president, Trump supported improving relations with America’s former Cold War foe.

The intelligence community, however, has concluded that Russia played a role in the presidential election held last November.

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