Russia and the United States pledged to intensify bilateral cooperation, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Thursday.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday met with U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns on " prospects for the development of Russian-U.S. relations and the establishment of a political dialogue with the new U.S. administration," the ministry said in a statement.
"Both sides emphasized the importance of intensifying bilateral practical cooperation as well as interaction in solving some pressing international issues," it said.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said in Munich on Sunday that Russia welcomed the "strong signal" from the United States for improving bilateral relations, and was ready to cooperate with Washington in all areas.
Also in Munich, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said Saturday that it is time now for America and NATO allies to repair relations with Russia, which had been strained over a string of events including NATO's eastward enlargement and Washington's plan to deploy a missile defense shield in Europe, Xinhua reported.