Putin: Russia-US Partnership Could Develop Under Principles of Equality

Kremlin press service reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin offered his greetings for the New Year to US President Barack Obama, stressing that Russian-US cooperation could make headway if it is based on principles of equality and mutual respect.

MOSCOW, December 31 (Sputnik) — Russian President Vladimir Putin offered his greetings for the New Year to US President Barack Obama, stressing that Russian-US cooperation could make headway if it is based on principles of equality and mutual respect, the Kremlin press service reported Wednesday.

"[Putin] noted that Russian-American partnership could successfully develop based on the principles of equality and mutual respect," the press service said.

The Russian president underscored to his American counterpart that the coming year marks the 70th anniversary of the victory in World War II, in which Russia fought alongside the US-led Allied Forces.

"The president noted that the historic date [pointed out] Russia's and US' responsibility to uphold international peace and stability [and] their special role in countering global threats and challenges," the Kremlin press service added.

According to the press service, Putin has also extended season's greetings to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, as well as a number of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and other world leaders.