Gorbachev hopeful for improvement in Russian-U.S. relations following Trump's win
MOSCOW. Nov 9 (Interfax) - Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev said he hoped Russian-U.S. relations could improve with Donald Trump's winning the presidential elections in the U.S.
"I do not rule out that, under the new U.S. president, Russian-American relations might improve significantly. I am convinced that we need to start a bilateral dialogue at the top level now. This particularly concerns the principal areas in international politics. And this dialogue shouldn't be disrupted under any circumstances," Gorbachev said to Interfax on Wednesday.
Russia and the United States in large part determine "progress for the better in the most serious key aspects of international and bilateral relations," he said.
"Perhaps we will understand that a lot depends on Russia's position as well," he said.
Asked what he thinks about the fact that the newly-elected U.S. president does not have international experience, Gorbachev replied, "He'll gain it. He'll be working, and will gather such experience."
Asked about his health, the 85-year-old Gorbachev said he is about to undergo a planned minor surgery and is feeling well.
