WASHINGTON, November 7 (RIA Novosti) — Rebuilding relations between Washington and Moscow is likely and vital, and the two countries must negotiate, Patrick Buchanan, two-time candidate for the Republican presidential nomination told RIA Novosti on Thursday.
"Restoring good relations between Russia and the United States is not only possible, it is necessary," Buchanan, former senior advisor to three US Presidents said. "Like presidents [Richard] Nixon and [Ronald] Reagan we ought to make an effort to work out our disagreements."
Relations between Russia and the West deteriorated amid the Ukrainian crisis. The European Union and the United States have been using sanctions Russia over Moscow's alleged role in the Ukrainian crisis. Western sanctions have targeted Russia's largest banks, its energy and defense companies, and some individuals.
Buchanan stressed that the disagreements between Washington and Moscow are not fundamental.
"I don't think there are any basic deep fundamental disagreements between Russian nation and people and the United States," he said, adding that Russia is one of the world’s greatest military powers as well as being the largest country on earth. "It's immensely influential. "
Buchanan served as a senior advisor to American Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Ronald Reagan. He sought the Republican presidential nomination in 1992 and 1996.