Putin says US adopts "hostile stance" against Russia

MOSCOW, Oct 16 (KUNA) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has rhetorically assailed the United States of America charging Washington with adopting "hostile stance" against his nation.
Putin, in remarks posted on the Russian Presidential website on Thursday, warned against "fomenting disputes among nuclear states," adding that the US President, Barack Obama, has recently classified Russia among major perils threatening global peace -- along with Ebola and the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
Washington has halted cooperation with Moscow in space and nuclear energy, suspended the joint presidential commission and imposed sanctions on diverse Russian economic entities.
The US policy toward Russia "has been belligerent and can't be named otherwise," Putin said, warning that escalation of pressure on Russia would complicate the quest for a political settlement in Ukraine.
Putin urged the US Administration to "think thoroughly about hazards entailed in disputes among nuclear states regarding global stability." Nevertheless, the Russian leader voiced readiness to re-establish bilateral cooperation with the US on "equal basis and respect for joint interests." Putin is due to arrive in Italy, later on Thursday, to partake in meetings with top European leaders. He is also expected in Serbia, Moscow's regional traditional ally. (end) as.rk