Russian Deputy PM Tells NBC Russia Ready for New Ties With US

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Thursday that Russia never turned its back on the United States and remains ready to build new relations with Washington. Novak made the comments to NBC on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, saying "The ball is now in your court." He stressed that Moscow is prepared to establish a new and open relationship with the United States. The statement comes amid heightened tensions between Russia and the United States over the Ukraine conflict and Western economic sanctions imposed on Moscow. The Kremlin said in March that restoring relations with Washington would be a "long and arduous task," though it noted that political will exists on both sides for progress. No further details were immediately available.