MOSCOW. Dec 31 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has wished his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama a happy New Year, the Kremlin press service has reported.
In his message to Obama, Putin said Russia and the U.S. will mark the 70th anniversary of the Victory, for which they fought side by side with the allies in the anti-Hitler coalition, next year.
The president said in his message that this historical date reminds one of the responsibility of Russia and the U.S. for maintaining peace and international stability and their special role in dealing with global threats and challenges.
Putin also said Russian-U.S. partnership could develop successfully according to the principles of equal rights and mutual respect.