Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says he believes U.S. President Barack Obama's efforts to build better relations between Washington and Moscow are genuine.
Speaking in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi, where he met with members of the Valdai Club international discussion group on Russia, Putin said the Russian administration is "paying great attention to the initiatives by the U.S. administration."
Putin said he was convinced that the U.S. administration, "and primarily President Obama, are being sincere."
Putin added that the United States is an important strategic and economic partner for Russia.
compiled from agency reports