[Published: Monday March 19 2018]
 Russia: Putin ready for 'constructive' dialogue
Moscow 19 Mar (ANA) - Vladimir Putin has said he is open to "constructive" dialogue with other states after being re-elected president of Russia with an increased majority.
"But of course that doesn't depend on us alone," he added. "Just as in love, both sides must show an interest or there will be no love."
Saying there would be no "arms race", he promised to cut defence spending.
Mr Putin officially won more than 76% of the vote in an election from which the main opposition leader was barred.
He was warmly congratulated by Chinese President Xi Jinping while Western leaders were more guarded in their reaction.
French President Emmanuel Macron wished him "success for the political, democratic, economic and social modernisation" of Russia but, in a phone call to Mr Putin, pointedly asked the Russian authorities to "shed all possible light on who was responsible in relation to the Salisbury attacks".
The UK government has blamed Russia for the poisoning in Salisbury of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia - an allegation Russia rejects. (ANA)
FA/ANA/19 March 2018------
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