ISTANBUL
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated Russians on Russia Day, emphasizing American commitment to "constructive engagement" with Moscow.
"On behalf of the American people, I want to congratulate the Russian people on Russia Day," Rubio said in a statement.
The secretary of state expressed support for Russian citizens' aspirations "for a brighter future" while reaffirming Washington's desire for productive relations with the Kremlin.
"We also take this opportunity to reaffirm the United States' desire for constructive engagement with the Russian Federation to bring about a durable peace between Russia and Ukraine," he said.
Rubio expressed hope that peace would "foster more mutually beneficial relations" between Washington and Moscow.
Russia Day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty on June 12, 1990, and has been celebrated annually since 1992.
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have held several phone calls since January.
Delegations from both countries also met in Istanbul in February following agreements between Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss issues affecting the operations of respective diplomatic missions.
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