Putin Wishes Obama Happy Fourth of July

Russian President Vladmir Putin called for improved relations between the United States and Russia in a surprise statement wishing President Barack Obama a happy Fourth of July, which marks the United States’ Independence Day.

Putin stressed to Obama that the U.S. and Russia both bear “particular responsibility for ensuring international stability and security,” according to a release on the Kremlin’s website.

The statement comes in the midst of escalating tensions between the U.S. and Russia. The political crisis in Ukraine and Russia’s annexation of Crimea led to much frustration and anger on the part of the U.S. While Russian-American relations have been undoubtedly strained by the situation in eastern Ukraine, a window for improvement has been opened by Russia’s apparent cooperation in working with the U.S. and other Western powers to strike a deal regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

While Obama is aware of Putin’s statement, the White House declined to respond publicly, according to Politico.