NAYPYIDAW, November 13 (Sputnik) — Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Thursday he did not have a full-fledged conversation with US President Barack Obama during the East Asia Summit, as this is not outlined in the summit's format.
"There are personal and intergovernmental sides to the relationship. On a personal note, we wished each other all the best and said hello to each other's families. It is common courtesy and I've known him for quite a long time," Medvedev told reporters.
Medvedev and Obama met on the sidelines of the Ninth East Asia Summit, which is currently taking place in Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw.
The Summit is bringing together leaders from the East Asia Region and adjoining countries. Russia is being represented by Prime Minister Medvedev.
During the Summit, the Russian Prime Minister stressed that Western sanctions against Russia need to be lifted and a return to normal relations should be established.
Medevedev noted Moscow may prolong Russia's counter sanctions but sooner or later they will be lifted.
Russian relations with the West have deteriorated dramatically over the crisis in Ukraine.
During the past few months, the European Union, the United States and their allies have hit Russia with sanctions over its alleged role in the Ukrainian conflict, which Moscow has repeatedly denied.
In response, Russia introduced a one-year ban on certain food imports from the countries that imposed sanctions.
