Putin hopes for better ties with US

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia hopes to normalize ties with the United States and join efforts in the fight against international terrorism.

Speaking in a live state-of-the-nation address, Putin said that Russia is ready to take part in tackling global challenges if its interests are respected.

"We don't want confrontation with anyone," he said.

"Unlike our foreign col-leagues who are seeing Russia as an enemy, we have never been looking for enemies, we need friends," Putin said."But we won't allow any infringement on our interests and neglect of them."

Russia's relations with the West have plummeted to a post-Cold War low over the Ukrainian crisis and the war in Syria. During the US election campaign, President Barack Obama's administration accused Russia of hacking US political sites in an effort to interfere with the vote. The Kremlin has rejected the accusations.

"In the last few years. we have faced attempts of foreign pressure with all tools involved from the myths about Russian aggression,(allegations) of meddling in elections to the hounding of our athletes," Putin said, referring to doping scandals.

Putin said that Russia is looking forward to mending ties with the US after president-elect Donald Trump takes office.

"We are ready for cooperation with the new American administration," he said."It's important to normalize and develop our bilateral relations on an equal and mutually beneficial basis. We share responsibility for ensuring global security and stability."

Putin added that Moscow hopes to pool efforts with Washington in confronting international terrorism.

Putin said that Russia is open to a "friendly and equal dialogue" about global security. He pointed to the European migration crisis as an example of even "seemingly prosperous countries and stable regions" facing new divisions.