Russia Ready to Improve Ties With Australia

Russia has traditionally favored good relations with its neighbors and other countries, Kremlin spokesman said Tuesday in response to a question on the political upheaval in Australia.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Malcom Turnbull was officially sworn in as the 29th Prime Minister of Australia earlier on Tuesday, after defeating Tony Abbott in a late night Liberal Party vote.

"President [Vladimir] Putin has always been and remains committed to an absolutely pragmatic approach to the development of bilateral relations," Dmitry Peskov told journalists, answering a question on whether relations between Russia and Australia could improve in light of Abbott's ousting.

The Kremlin spokesman elaborated that the bilateral ties that Moscow pursues with other nations "should be mutually beneficial."