Russia ready for cooperation with US on basis of equality

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a ceremony to receive credentials from foreign ambassadors at the Kremlin in Moscow, November 19, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

MOSCOW -- Russia is ready to cooperate with the United States on the basis of noninterference in domestic affairs and equality, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.

"We are ready for practical cooperation with American partners in various directions on the principles of respect each other's interests, equality and noninterference in domestic affairs," Putin said during the credentials ceremony for new ambassadors of 15 countries, including US ambassador to Russia John Tefft.

Putin said he presumed "Russia and the US bear special responsibility for preserving international security and stability, and for countering global challenges and threats."

Russia is equally interested in developing cooperation with both the East and the West, he added.

"Expanding economic interaction with the Asia-Pacific countries is Russia's long-term and key strategy. At the same time, we are equally interested in developing interaction and cooperation with both the East and the West," Interfax news agency quoted Putin as saying.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said earlier Wednesday that Moscow is prepared to find compromises with the West "on the basis of equal rights and taking into consideration the interests of each other, as well as avoiding attempts of blackmail and dictatorship."