Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday in a July Fourth message to President Barack Obama that he hopes ties between the two countries will get back on track. Putin officially is not a United Russia member despite having canvassed for the party in the past. The Kremlin, however, has recently sought rapprochement with the United States. "We call on the United States on the Independence Day not only to preserve their own independence but also respect the independence of other countries." Elsewhere in Moscow, a youth wing of the ruling United Russia party staged an impromptu exhibit on a central square to condemn U.S. military involvement in other countries.

Source: ABC News July 04, 2016 09:47 UTC