Putin says Russia ready for US discussions

MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin said he is not interested in alleged Russian interference in the United States presidential election because the actions weren't connected to his government.

Putin made the remarks in an interview with US broadcaster NBC News that aired on Saturday in response to the question of whether he condoned the interference that was alleged in last month's US indictment by special counsel Robert Mueller.

"It's all the same to me. To me it absolutely makes no difference because they do not represent the government," Putin answered, according to the Russian-language interview transcript posted on Saturday by the Kremlin.

Putin said Russia has neither the tools nor the will to meddle in elections. He repeatedly claimed during the interview that Washington has brushed off Russian initiatives to work together on cybersecurity issues and said his country is ready to discuss any issues with the US.

"We are ready to discuss any matter, be it missile-related issues, cyberspace or counterterrorism efforts," Putin said.

"I have the impression that this is what the current (US) president wants, but he is prevented from doing it by some forces."

Putin said he hoped the US would be willing to hold such discussions.

"The time will come when the political elite in the United States will be pushed by public opinion to move in this direction. We will be ready the instant our partners are ready," he said.

Putin also claimed that the US interferes in Russian elections "all the time" but that it was "impossible for us" to do the same.

"First, we have principles whereby we do not allow others to interfere in our domestic affairs and do not get into the affairs of others... Secondly, we don't have this quantity of tools," he said.

Ap - Xinhua