Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Jan. 26 that his country's policy on the United States will be stable and predictable.
"I want to assure you that Russia's policy on the United States will be stable and predictable," Putin was quoted by the Interfax news agency as telling visiting US Secretary of State Colin Powell in the Kremlin.
"The foundations of Russian-US relations are so solid that any tactical differences related to the development of our international relations and the protection of our national interests can be resolved," Putin said.
This is the common wish of "the whole Russian society, the State Duma and the executive powers," Putin said.
Putin described the Russian-US ties as "a major foreign policy achievement and a success of the Bush administration."
He also applauded the two nations' cooperation in trade, battle against terrorism and restoring stability in Afghanistan.
As to the situation in Iraq, Putin said he hoped the United Nations could make a quick return to the war-battered country.
Powell said US President George W. Bush is satisfied with the way US-Russia relations are going.
Solid bilateral relations have made it possible to discuss differences in a frank and honest way, he added.
Earlier on Monday, Powell held a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov. He will also meet with Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov.
Powell arrived in Moscow Sunday evening from Tbilisi, where he attended the inauguration ceremony of Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili.