Russian, US Presidents Need Mutual Respect on Personal Level – Trump’s Adviser

He also lambasted Trump’s Democratic rival Hillary Clinton for “deep sense of mutual mistrust” between the leaderships of the two countries during her tenure as Secretary of State, stressing the role the next top diplomat should play in mending the ties.

Trump, who beat Clinton in the November 8 presidential elections, has repeatedly noted during his public speeches and interviews that "it would be nice" to have a good relationship with Russia. In his victory speech, the president-elect pledged to prioritize US national interests, but he also promised to treat fairly all other nations.

Since 2014, relations between Russia and the United States deteriorated amid the crisis in Ukraine. Washington and their allies have introduced several rounds of anti-Russia sanctions since Crimea became part of Russia in 2014 and over Moscow's alleged involvement in the Ukrainian conflict. Russia has repeatedly refuted the allegations, warning that the Western sanctions are counterproductive and undermine global stability. The tensions have also exacerbated in light of the situation in Syria, where since the beginning of the civil war in 2011, the United States and some of its allies have been supporting the so-called moderate opposition. Russia recognizes President Bashar Assad as the legitimate authority in Syria, stressing that the Syrian people should be free to choose their leadership without outside intervention.