Putin assessed the prospects for improving Russia-U.S. relations

Russia is ready to normalize relations with the United States, but not to the detriment of its interests, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on December 22.

"Everything can be done if there is a desire. We have never lost this desire," the head of state said in an interview with VGTRK journalist Pavel Zarubin, who published a fragment in his Telegram channel.

Thus, the head of state answered the question whether it is possible to resuscitate Russian-American relations, which have been in decline due to Washington's steps.

Putin noted that history always takes new shape depending on the changing situation, and only the interests of Russia and its people remain unchanged. If the Russian side sees that the changed situation gives an opportunity to build relations with other countries, it will be ready for it, the president pointed out.

"The question is not about us, but about them. But only not to the detriment of the interests of the Russian Federation. <...> We, if we build relations with someone, we will build only on the basis of the interests of the Russian state," Putin said.

"Russia has become much stronger."

Big press conference and direct line with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Key quotes

A day earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that future relations between Moscow and Washington will depend on further statements and actions of the U.S. authorities. At present, the US is behaving as a country unfriendly to Russia, he pointed out.

Before that, on December 18, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that Russia was ready to consider any proposals to establish relations with the United States. The diplomat noted that such a question refers to the prospect of "not today and not tomorrow."

In late August, US President-elect Donald Trump said that building good relations between Russia and the US was the right approach. According to him, "getting along with Russia is good, not bad, it's smart."