Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that a new round of proposed US sanctions on Russia was evidence of internal political fighting in Washington. The US Senate voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday for new sanctions against Russia for its alleged meddling in last year's presidential election.
"Why they started to talk about these sanctions out of the blue? This is, of course, evidence of ongoing political infighting in the United States," Putin said during an annual call-in show televised nationwide.
He also said that Russia has many friends in the US and does not view the country as its enemy.
'Ukraine not real reason for Western sanctions'
The Russian president indicated that controversies over Ukraine were not the real reason behind the West's sanctions.
Western countries imposed harsh sanctions on Russia after Crimea left Ukraine and rejoined Russia in 2014 following a local referendum.
"If it wasn't for Crimea, other problems, they would have invented something else to deter Russia," Putin said on the show.
He suggested that Russia would lift sanctions on other countries if they lift sanctions on the Russian economy.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) answers questions at the Gostiny Dvor studio during the annual "Direct Line with Vladimir Putin" show by Russian TV channels and radio stations in Moscow on June 15, 2017. /VCG Photo
'Russia ready for constructive dialogue with US'
Putin stressed that Russia was ready for constructive dialogue with the US. He said the Kremlin is "very keen" to improve Russia-US relations despite "anti-Russian hysteria" in the US media.
"We do not view the USA as our enemy," he said, adding that Moscow and Washington can cooperate on issues including the non-proliferation of weapons and the Syria crisis.
He also said Russia's medium-term plans in Syria include improving the strength of the Syrian armed forces. And the aim is to reach a political settlement in Syria between all sides involved in the conflict. In the meantime, he said Russia would continue to provide air support to Syrian armed forces.
Commenting on former FBI director James Comey's recent testimony to the US Senate's Intelligence Committee, Putin said Comey had presented no evidence to prove that Russia had meddled in the US presidential election and accused the US of trying to influence Russian elections for years.
People wait for a boat next to an electronic screen showing live nationwide broadcasted call-in attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin at Artillery Bay in the Black Sea port of Sevastopol on June 15, 2017. /VCG Photo
'Recession in Russia is over'
In recent years, the Russian economy plunged into recession due to a drop in global oil prices and crippling Western sanctions, but Putin said the country has returned to the right track.
The Russian economy has been growing for three consecutive quarters, he noted. "It shows that recession in the Russian economy is over. We have moved to the period of growth."
Putin acknowledged that the country is still depending on the export of raw materials for economic growth, but stressed that non-energy exports have been rising.
Russian President Vladimir Putin at the live nationwide broadcasted call-in in Moscow, Russia on June 15, 2017. /VCG Photo
The Russian president said the government will make more efforts to raise people's living standards, underscoring the need to increase labor productivity. "If we do not raise it, we do not have new jobs, and income will not grow," he added.
The authorities are striving to make sure that "people can feel the change for the better," he emphasized.
The program – Direct Line with Vladimir Putin – has become a tradition since 2001. This year's show was highly anticipated as Russia prepares for its own presidential election in March next year.
Over 1.3 million questions were submitted via text, e-mail, telephone and live video ahead of the show.
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