Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said he sees new opportunities for improving strained relations with the US once President-elect Barack Obama takes office.
Medvedev told reporters in the Urals city of Izhevsk that 'in the current situation new, good opportunities are opening up.'
'I hope the new administration, the new president of the United States will look at many things from a new point of view,' he said.
President Medvedev also said Russia would meet all the commitments it gave with other G20 nations to fight the global economic crisis and will not resort to protectionist measures.
Russia's commitment to free trade had been questioned after it announced it would raise import duties on second-hand cars and intended to review trade agreements with several countries, including the US.
Russia has been among the biggest losers from the turmoil on world markets. Its stock markets have lost more than 70% of their value and capital flight is estimated at over $50bn since the crisis started.
Falling energy prices and the need to support a weakening rouble and inject liquidity into the financial system are draining the more than $500bn in reserves accumulated during the years of economic growth.
Avoiding protectionist measures was one of the key pledges made by G20 heads, who met in Washington on Saturday to discuss a new global financial architecture.
Last week Prime Minister Vladimir Putin agreed at talks with Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen that Russia would postpone by up to 12 months the introduction of new export tariffs on timber.
The EU strongly opposed the tariffs, saying they were a breach of free trade rules and could bankrupt timber processors in Scandinavia.
