A long and difficult path awaits Russia and the US before the two countries restore relations. This was stated by Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of the Russian president, at a press briefing, TASS reports.

"We are at the initial phase of restoring our bilateral relations. A long and difficult path awaits [us]," the Kremlin spokesman said.

"In any case, the two presidents have expressed political will in that direction," Peskov noted, adding that US President Donald Trump "is constructive enough for there to be a dialogue, for issues to be resolved."