Putin Tells Obama US-Russia Dialogue Key to Global Stability

Local Editor

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday said relations between Moscow and Washington were key to ensuring global stability and called for dialogue based on "equality and respect."

In a message to his US counterpart Barack Obama on Independence Day in the United States, Putin said US-Russian relations were "the key factor in ensuring stability and security in the world, despite the differences" between the two countries.

"Russia and the United States are able to find solutions for the most difficult international problems and effectively counter global threats and challenges," Putin said in a telegram, according to the Kremlin.

This needs to be done by "building dialogue on the principles of equality and respect of each other's interests," the message added.

Russia's military top brass have focused on NATO's presence in eastern Europe, which they see as the greatest threat to the country's security.

However Putin had also reached out to Obama to discuss the threat of terrorism, notably from the "ISIL" Takfiri group.

The Russian leader had tasked Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov with discussing a joint anti-terrorism strategy with US Secretary of State John Kerry.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team