David Jackson

USA TODAY

President Obama and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin had their ups and downs in 2013, but that didn't stop Putin from sending new year's greetings to the U.S. leader.

"The President of Russia emphasized that the events of the past year clearly demonstrated how, acting in the spirit of partnership and on the basis of respecting one another, Russia and the United States are capable of making a real input into supporting global stability, resolving some of the most difficult international problems," the Kremlin said in a summary of Putin's message to Obama.

Putin also sent messages to other world leaders, and all the summaries are posted on the Kremlin website.

In the past year, Obama and Putin have clashed over Russia's decision to grant political asylum to National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden.

Obama has also criticized anti-gay laws in Russia, which is hosting the Winter Olympics in February.

As for Putin's message to Obama, the Kremlin reported:

"Vladimir Putin also confirmed his desire to maintain a constructive dialogue and continue joint work to strengthen trust and mutual understanding in Russian-US relations, to broaden cooperation in the economic, science and technology, cultural, and other areas."