Russia says US signals desire to ease tensions

Russia's foreign minister says that President Barack Obama's administration has signaled its desire to overcome the current strain in ties and focus on cooperation.

Russia-US relations took a nosedive recently with Washington announcing sanctions against Russian officials accused of rights violations and Russia retaliating by banning US adoption of Russian children. On Friday, the US released a list of 18 Russians targeted for sanctions and Moscow responded over the weekend with a list of 18 Americans. (AP)