Russia is concerned about freezing relationship between Moscow and Washington, said the Russian President Vladimir Putin at the 8th Annual Investment Forum of the VTB bank, reports the RT.

"We are concerned about deterioration of US-Russian relationship; it is not our choice. We have never aspired to it. On the contrary, we wanted to have friendly relationship with such a huge, great country, which the leading economy in the world, "said the Russian president. According to Putin, the countries should respect each other's interests to normalize their relationship.

He, further, stated that Russia is used as a “small change” in the US election campaign. 

"They used to say about Russia, as playing a secondary role. Currently, all the issues in the US presidential campaign refer to Russia. It, of course, partially flatters us. The candidates abuse anti-Russian rhetoric and poison their relationship," Putin said, noting that using Russia as a political bargain in the internal affairs is not serious.