Putin 'sure' relations with US will develop
Russian president Vladimir Putin, in a statement marking the US Independence Day, said he was certain relations would progress despite disagreements.
His statement, released by the Kremlin while Mr Putin was in Guatemala, comes at a time of tension between Washington and Moscow.
The United States has criticised Russia as backing away from democratic reforms, while the Kremlin vehemently objects to US plans to deploy elements of a missile-defence system in former Soviet Bloc countries.
“We look with certainty to the future of mutually satisfactory working together. I am sure that, despite known disagreements, which are unavoidable in an open and honest dialogue, the policy of comprehensive development of bilateral ties in all areas will continue,” Mr Putin said in the statement.
