Kremlin ready for telephone talks between Putin, Obama, but date not set yet

The Kremlin is ready for telephone talks between the Presidents of Russia and US Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama, but the date has not been set yet, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Thursday.

"We also do not exclude this [telephone talks], of course. In case if the leaders agree, such talks could take place when necessary," Peskov said.

However, "there are no concrete agreements yet," he added.

"In any case, it was repeatedly stated at different levels that Moscow welcomes dialogue at any levels," the press secretary noted.

Russia ready for cooperation with US

Russia is ready for constructive interaction with the United States, but on an equal basis, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on May 12 after a meeting of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry in the southern Russian resort of Sochi.

Lavrov and Kerry, the ministry said, "held a long and frank conversation on a wide range of issues of mutual interest." "Sergey Lavrov stressed that responsibility for the current crisis in relations with Washington does not rest with us," it said.

"Russia is ready for constructive cooperation with the United States both in the bilateral sphere and on the global arena, where our countries bear special responsibility for global security and stability," the ministry said. "But cooperation is only possible on a fair and equal basis, without attempts of diktat and coercion," it said.

In this connection, it was noted that "uncoiling confrontation, attempts to pressure us with sanctions are a dead-end track." The ministry said "it will be impossible to make Russia give up its national interests and principled position on key issues."

During his visit to Sochi, US state secretary also met with Russian President Vladimir Putin.