Putin: Russia and the US share responsibility for global security

JAKARTA - Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia and the United States (US), as the two countries with the largest nuclear power in the world, bear a shared responsibility in maintaining global security.

According to the Kremlin, in a message sent to US President Donald Trump to commemorate the 250th anniversary of US Independence Day, Putin said the signing of the Declaration of Independence not only marked the birth of the US, but also became an important milestone in world history.

Putin said Russia "unconditionally supported the North American colonists in their struggle for freedom from British rule."

The Russian leader also reminded Moscow and Washington of being allies in two world wars.

"We are allies in two world wars. Together we liberated mankind from the horrors of Nazism, and then played a key role in laying the foundations of the modern world order," Putin said.

"Currently, Russia and the United States, as the two countries with the largest nuclear power, bear a special responsibility to ensure security and stability at the global level," he continued.

Putin said he believed that a "constructive, equal, and mutually beneficial" relationship between Moscow and Washington would benefit the interests of both countries as well as the wider international community.