Vladimir Putin: Russian relations with U.S. worsening by the hour

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview released Thursday that bilateral relations with the U.S. have continued to worsen as a result of sanctions imposed under President Trump.

Relations between Russia and the U.S. are “deteriorating, getting worse by the hour,” Mr. Putin said during an interview with Russian media, according to a transcript released by the Kremlin.

“In recent years, the current U.S. administration has already taken several dozen decisions on sanctions with regard to Russia,” continued Mr. Putin.

“I hope that with all our partners, including our American partners, the United States, we will be able to work out some constructive solutions during the upcoming G-20 meeting, creating the necessary stable conditions for economic cooperation,” he said.

The White House did not immediately return a request for comment.

Russian nationals and entities have repeatedly wound up on the receiving end of sanctions imposed in recent years over actions conducted under the leadership of Mr. Putin, including the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the interference campaign waged against the U.S. electoral process in 2016, among others. State media reported in February that the restrictions have so far cost the country nearly $1.17 billion.

Mr. Trump told reporters at the White House on Wednesday that he plans to meet with Mr. Putin later this month while both in attendance at the Group of 20 summit in Osaka, Japan.

Speaking from the Oval Office, Mr. Trump also said he is considering using sanctions to block the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project that would allow Russia to export natural gas to Germany, repeatedly referring to as a “problem.”

“Hopefully, we’re going to have a great relationship with Russia,” said Mr. Trump. “But I do think that Germany is putting themselves at a tremendous disadvantage when 50, 60, or 70 percent of their energy is being supplied by Russia. I don’t know how you can do it.”