MOSCOW, June 27. /TASS/. Relations between Moscow and Washington are not in their finest state now because of the domestic political discord gripping America, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with US National Security Adviser John Bolton on Wednesday.

"Unfortunately, I have to say that Russian-US relations are not in their best state now," the president said. "I have said this in public on many occasions, I would like to repeat at this meeting with you. I believe that to a great extent this is the result of a bitter internal political struggle in the US."

Putin hoped that Bolton’s visit to Moscow would be a step towards restoring ties with Washington. "Your visit to Moscow provides us with hope that we will be able to take at least the initial steps towards restoring full-fledged relations between our countries," Putin said during their meeting in the Kremlin. "Russia has never sought confrontation."

At the talks, the Russian head of state suggested discussing "what both sides could do to mend full-fledged relations based on equality and respect for each other’s interests."

Trump’s adviser said he expects to talk with Putin about ways of bolstering Russian-US cooperation in the areas where both sides see eye to eye. Bolton noted that even when Russia and the US had serious differences, the two leaders and their advisers met and this laid the groundwork for ensuring global stability.

Bolton assured Putin that Trump is committed to achieving these goals.

Putin congratulated the United States upon gaining the right to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup and noted that Russia was ready to share its experience in organizing such a sporting event. "I would like to congratulate you upon the United States getting the right to host the FIFA World Cup in 2026," Putin told Bolton. "For now, we’ve arranged the tournament in the proper fashion. It will be a pleasure for us to share this experience with you."

Bolton replied that the United States was glad to learn that Russia was so successful in hosting the World Cup.