Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday he hoped for better ties with the United States in a July Fourth message to his U.S. counterpart , Barack Obama . The Independence Day wishes come at a time when relations between the two nations are at their lowest ebb since the Cold War , fueled by tensions over Russia 's actions in Ukraine . According to the Kremlin website , Putin `` expressed a hope for the successful development of the relationship between both countries , based on equal rights and utilitarianism , despite all the difficulties and disagreements they are facing at the moment . '' Putin also said that since the two nations are responsible for global security , they `` should cooperate in the interests of not just their own people , but the entire world . '' He urged the building of a bilateral relationship based on `` mutual respect '' and understanding of each other 's interests . Moscow has repeatedly complained that the West has not taken its legitimate interests in Ukraine into consideration or treated it as an equal partner . The White House gave a muted response to Putin 's gesture . `` We 've seen the message but have no particular comment , '' said National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden . The United States and European Union have imposed targeted economic sanctions on Russian individuals and companies in response to Moscow 's actions in Ukraine . Russia annexed Ukraine 's Crimea region in March despite condemnation from the West . Its amassing of troops along the border with Ukraine has led to heightened tensions . The EU and the United States have repeatedly warned Moscow that more economic sanctions could be imposed if it does n't act to defuse the crisis . In a bid to end the pro-Russia separatist unrest roiling the east of his country , Ukraine 's new President Petro Poroshenko has proposed a peace plan that calls for the rebels to lay down their arms and engage in talks . He also urged the strengthening of Ukraine-Russia border controls , the freeing of hostages and changes to the Ukrainian Constitution to decentralize power . NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen urged Moscow last week `` to create conditions for the implementation of the peace plan , to end its support for separatist troops , and to stop the flow of weapons and fighters across its border . ''
Russia 's President Putin says he wants to see the ` ` successful development '' of the relationship . He says U.S.-Russia relations should be based on mutual respect and understanding . Ukraine crisis has heightened tensions between Russia and the United States .