The Russian president warned of "world catastrophe" if the two sides do not work together. His annual address blamed Russia's economic woes on domestic issues rather than international sanctions.
Image: Reuters/M. Shemetov
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Russian President Vladimir Putin said he wants to cooperate with the incoming US administration and combine efforts against terrorism at his unusually diplomatic annual state-of-the-nation address in the Kremlin on Thursday.
He has often used the live broadcast speech to attack the west and the United States, but he kept a conciliatory tone in this year's talk, saying Russia would work with other countries to tackle global challenges if its interests are respected.
"Attempts to break the strategic parity are extremely dangerous and can lead to a world catastrophe," Putin told the gathering of Russia's political elite.
"We don't want confrontation with anyone. We don't need it. We are not seeking and have never sought enemies. We need friends.
"We are ready to cooperate with the new U.S. administration. We have a shared responsibility to ensure international security."
Relations with the US have recently sunk to a post-Cold War low over Russia's annexation of Ukraine and its military support of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria. Washington also accused Russia of interfering in the US elections by spreading misinformation and hacking American political sites and email accounts.
Putin was speaking in front Moscow's political elite at the grandest hall in the KremlinImage: Reuters/M. Shemetov
Putin denied those claims, but he echoed his previous statements that US President-elect Donald Trump may help restore relations.
"In the last few years we have faced attempts of foreign pressure with all tools involved - from the myths about Russian aggression, (allegations) of meddling in elections to the hounding of our athletes," Putin said, referring to recent doping scandals.
"It's important to normalize and develop our bilateral ties on an equal and mutually beneficial basis. We share responsibility for ensuring global security and stability and strengthening the non-proliferation regime."
He said he hoped to work with the new administration in confronting international terrorism. "Our servicemen in Syria are fulfilling that task," he said.
Sanctions not to blame for crisis
His talk was mainly focused on domestic affairs and its continuing financial crisis following the collapse of the ruble in 2014.
He said economic problems stemmed from domestic issues instead of western sanctions related to its activities in Ukraine.
"The main reasons for the economic slowdown lie primarily in our internal problems."
But he said the worst was behind them, noting that inflation should slow to 6 percent this year, down from 13 percent. He said agricultural exports will top US $16 billion (15 billion euros) this year, exceeding weapons exports.
Putin referenced Russia's upcoming anniversary of the 1917 revolution to call for national unity.
"It's inadmissible to bring divisions, malice, resentment and bitterness of the past into our life today," he said.
The different faces of Vladimir Putin
Forbes magazine ranked Russian President Vladimir Putin as the most powerful person of 2016 - followed by US President-elect Donald Trump. This picture gallery shows different aspects of Putin's personality.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa
From KGB to Kremlin
Putin joined the KGB, the former Soviet Union's security agency, in 1975. In the 1980s he undertook his first foreign posting as a KGB agent to Dresden, Germany. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Putin returned to Russia and entered Boris Yeltsin's Kremlin. When Yeltsin announced that he wanted Putin as his successor, the way was paved for him to become prime minister.
Image: picture alliance/dpa/M.Klimentyev
First presidency
On his appointment, Putin was virtually unknown to the general public. This changed when in August 1999 armed men from Chechnya invaded the neighboring Russian territory of Dagestan. President Yeltsin appointed ex-KGB officer Putin to bring Chechnya back under the central government's control. On New Year's Eve, Yeltsin unexpectedly resigned and named Putin as acting president.
Image: picture alliance/AP Images
Tough guy in the media
During an exhibition hockey game in Sochi, Putin’s team won 18-6, with the president scoring eight goals.
Image: picture-alliance/AP/A. Nikolsky
Limited freedom of speech
A protester wears a tape over his mouth reading "Putin" during an opposition rally. In 2013 the Kremlin announced that the state-owned news agency, RIA Novosti, was to be restructured and placed under the control of a pro-Kremlin figure known for his extreme anti-Western views. Reporters without Borders ranked Russia as 148 in its list of 178 countries in terms of press freedom.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/V.Maximov
Putin's Image: A man of action
Putin's image as a man of action, boosted by his having been a KGB spy, has long been part of his appeal in Russia. It is carefully maintained by means of photos where he is seen bare-chested on horseback, or tossing opponents onto a judo mat. In Russia, Putin has earned praise for restoring stability but has also been accused of authoritarianism.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/A. Nikoskyi
Stifling democracy
When President Putin's United Russia party won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections in 2007, critics described the vote as neither free nor democratic. Dozens were detained as riot police broke up protests by demonstrators accusing President Putin of stifling democracy. In this rally the poster reads: "Thank you, no!"
Image: Getty Images/AFP/Y.Kadobnov
Orchestrated events
In Sevastopol, Crimea, Putin looks through the window of a research bathyscaphe in the waters of the Black Sea. This dive in a mini-submarine was only one of his adventurous stunts; he has also been seen tranquilizing wild tigers and flying with endangered cranes. It was also aimed at cementing his image as an adventurer, and demonstrating his control of the annexed territory of Crimea.
