MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The US diplomatic mission added that Gorbachev and Ambassador John Tefft emphasized the necessity to continue bilateral discussions of international problems that affect both countries.
"The talks focused on the current state of Russian-US relations and outlooks for bilateral cooperation," the statement read.
Relations between Washington and Moscow have been strained since the start of the Ukrainian crisis last year and Crimea’s successful referendum to secede Ukraine and reunite with Russia. The US government took a hard line on Russia, accusing it of interfering with Ukrainian affairs and imposing rounds of economic sanctions. The Kremlin has repeatedly denied the Ukraine-related allegations.