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Putin Says Russia Has ‘Many Friends’ in U.S. Who Can Mend Relations Putin Says Russia Has ‘Many Friends’ in U.S. Who Can Mend Relations
(about 9 hours later)
MOSCOW — President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia said on Wednesday that relations with America had “become hostage to the internal political situation in the U.S.,” but that his country had many friends in the United States who can help improve relations between the two nations when the political tensions in America settle down. MOSCOW — President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia said on Wednesday that relations with America had “become hostage to the internal political situation in the U.S.,” but that his country had “many friends” in the United States who can help improve relations between the two nations when the political tensions in America settle down.
“Certain forces use the Russian-American ties to solve internal political problems in the U.S.,” Mr. Putin said at a high-profile energy development forum in Moscow. “We are patiently waiting until this process in the internal political life in America will end.”“Certain forces use the Russian-American ties to solve internal political problems in the U.S.,” Mr. Putin said at a high-profile energy development forum in Moscow. “We are patiently waiting until this process in the internal political life in America will end.”
Ties between Moscow and Washington have ebbed and flowed since President Trump took office, despite Russian lawmakers’ Champagne toast after election night in hopes that Mr. Trump would make significant moves in Russia’s favor.Ties between Moscow and Washington have ebbed and flowed since President Trump took office, despite Russian lawmakers’ Champagne toast after election night in hopes that Mr. Trump would make significant moves in Russia’s favor.
Speaking about his personal relationship with President Trump on Wednesday, Mr. Putin said that there was basically “none.” Speaking on Wednesday about his personal relationship with Mr. Trump, Mr. Putin said that there was basically “none.”
“We have met only once, and spoke on the phone several times on several issues that are of mutual interest,” Mr. Putin said. The two leaders met in July in Hamburg, Germany, at a Group of 20 summit meeting, at which they had a long official conversation and also a shorter private one.“We have met only once, and spoke on the phone several times on several issues that are of mutual interest,” Mr. Putin said. The two leaders met in July in Hamburg, Germany, at a Group of 20 summit meeting, at which they had a long official conversation and also a shorter private one.
“I believe that such a person like Mr. Trump, with his character, will never be hostage to someone’s interests,” the Russian president said, in a conference hall full of representatives of major international energy companies and organizations“I believe that such a person like Mr. Trump, with his character, will never be hostage to someone’s interests,” the Russian president said, in a conference hall full of representatives of major international energy companies and organizations
Mr. Trump has repeatedly expressed admiration for Mr. Putin’s leadership style.Mr. Trump has repeatedly expressed admiration for Mr. Putin’s leadership style.
Many in Russia had hoped that Mr. Trump would lift the sanctions imposed by the United States over Moscow’s decision to annex Crimea and destabilize Ukraine, and that he would give Russia a free hand to act in the former Soviet republics.Many in Russia had hoped that Mr. Trump would lift the sanctions imposed by the United States over Moscow’s decision to annex Crimea and destabilize Ukraine, and that he would give Russia a free hand to act in the former Soviet republics.
None of that has been realized, however. Instead, relations between the two countries has sunk even deeper as further revelations have surfaced about Russia’s meddling in the United States presidential election campaign. None of that has been realized, however. Instead, relations between the two countries have sunk even deeper as further revelations have surfaced about Russia’s meddling in the United States presidential election campaign.
Mr. Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki R. Haley, has sharply criticized Russia over Crimea. Kurt Volker, a supporter of sanctions against Moscow, was appointed as the United States’ special representative to Ukraine.Mr. Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki R. Haley, has sharply criticized Russia over Crimea. Kurt Volker, a supporter of sanctions against Moscow, was appointed as the United States’ special representative to Ukraine.
Still, Mr. Putin expressed optimism about the future of Russia’s relationship with the United States.Still, Mr. Putin expressed optimism about the future of Russia’s relationship with the United States.
“We have many friends in America who want to develop ties with us,” he said at the forum. “We support ties with them irrespective of the current political situation.”“We have many friends in America who want to develop ties with us,” he said at the forum. “We support ties with them irrespective of the current political situation.”