Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that the US was not an enemy of his country, saying his country had “many friends” in America, Nbcnews.com reports.
“We have been through two wars together,” he said during his annual nationwide televised call-in show. “The Russian Empire was key in securing U.S. independence.”
Putin added: “I know the mood of our people, we don’t believe America is our enemy … There is hysteria in the media and it affects the mood, but many people in Russia admire the achievements if the American people, and I hope relations will normalize.”
He also addressed his personal life, saying that his two daughters and two grandchildren reside in Russia.
“Despite all rumors, my daughters live here, in Moscow,” he said.
“My grandchildren are in preschool,” he adding, stating that he wanted to keep their identities and ages a secret. “I want them to be normal people, and for that they need to mix with ordinary people. But if I mention their names, they will not be left in peace. This will damage them. Please understand me.”