NEW DELHI, January 25 (Sputnik) — The United States is not interested in seeing Russia as a weak country and its economy in "shambles", US President Barack Obama said Sunday.
"We have no interest in seeing Russia weakened or its economy in shambles … It would not be effective for us to engage in a military conflict with Russia on this issue," Obama was quoted as saying by The Times of India during a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The US president also expressed concern over the violations of ceasefire that are currently taking place in eastern Ukraine.
21 January 2015, 11:16 GMT
Russia-US relations have deteriorated in light of the crisis in Ukraine, with Washington blaming Moscow for escalating the conflict in Ukraine's South-East. The Russian government has repeatedly denied any involvement in Ukraine's internal affairs and was one of the mediators during the September 2014 ceasefire talks in Minsk between the Kiev forces and the Donbas independence supporters.
On Sunday, Obama arrived in India on a three-day visit with the intention to discuss the deepening of bilateral ties and cooperation in the defense, economic and nuclear sectors. This marks the second visit to the country for Obama, after his previous official trip in 2010.
