Putin hopes relations with Washington can recover after U.S. presidential elections

Russia-U.S. relations may recover after the presidential elections in the United States, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a press conference in India's Goa on Sunday.

"I hope that when these elections, debates, this difficult period in the internal political situation in the United States ends, there will be chances to restore Russia-U.S. relations," Putin was quoted by the RIA Novosti news agency as saying.

"Confrontation is not our choice," he added.

Russia-U.S. relations have been deteriorating since the Ukrainian crisis and tensions began to escalate as a result of their disputes over the Syrian settlement and Washington's claim that Russia has interfered in the upcoming U.S. presidential elections by launching cyber attacks.

Earlier this week, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden in a televised interview hinted at a response to Russia with cyber attacks, which was interpreted by Moscow as "threats against Russia."

Putin denied that Russia has any intention to interfere in the U.S. presidential election campaign, saying that this would not be in line with the norms of international communication.

When asked about the anti-Russia sanctions, Putin said that rather than solving issues in Ukraine or Syria, the purpose of the sanctions was just about formulating a "containment policy against Russia."

"The work on the international arena requires some concessions and compromises," said Putin. "They apparently don't want compromises but to dictate." Endi