President Dmitry Medvedev says he hopes Russia's relations with the United States improve after President-elect Barack Obama takes office, reported AP.
Medvedev says he expects the new U.S. administration will take a constructive stance and show willingness to compromise on the most difficult issues.
He says in an interview with Indian Broadcasting Corporation Doordarshan that he feels "moderately optimistic" about ties with the U.S. His remarks were posted Thursday on the Kremlin Web.
Moscow's relations with Washington have been strained by disputes over U.S. plans to deploy missile defense sites in Europe and Russia's war with Georgia in August.
Medvedev dismissed allegations that a chill in U.S.-Russian relations could lead to a new Cold War.