YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. US President Barack Obama said during his presidency he sought to establish constructive relations with Russia, reports BBC.

“Good relations with Russia are in consistent with the interests of the US and the entire world”, Obama said in his last press conference.

At the same time he blamed Russia for refusal to hold talks over the further reduction of nuclear weapon, and said, after President Vladimir Putin took the post in 2012, the anti-American rhetoric was strengthened in Russia.

Obama said the sanctions against Russia were set primarily due to the abuses against the sovereignty of Ukraine, and the elimination of sanctions must be directly linked with Russia’s actions in Ukraine.