Russian Prime Minister and presidential candidate Vladimir Putin speaks during a meeting with his supporters from All Russian People's Front party in Moscow on February 29, 2012. The Russian presidential election is Sunday, March 4th. UPI/Yuri Gripas | License Photo

MOSCOW, July 4 (UPI) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed hope for improved relations with the United States in an Independence Day congratulatory message.

Sent in a telegram to President Barack Obama, the message said that "regardless of difficulties and disagreements," he hoped Russia and the United States would "successfully develop relations on pragmatic and equal grounds."


Putin's statement suggested relations between the two countries have deteriorated, after Russian incursions into Crimea and Ukraine and the application of economic sanctions against Russia, in part because the United States does not treat Russia as an equal, a world power on an equal basis. Although no mention was made of the sanctions, the recommendation for equality suggests Putin is placing the burden to improve ties on Obama.

The language in the message was more pessimistic than in one sent last year on the U.S. Independence Day, in which Putin said he was certain the United States and Russia could solve problems "regardless of the fact that not all approaches of the sides concur."

Countries routinely congratulate each other on notable anniversaries, but Putin's messages have steadily included less optimism and more doubt in the past several years. One sent on July 4, 2012, prior to the Ukraine conflict, referred to an improving relationship between the two countries.