Russia: Politics shouldn't affect trade

SOCHI, Russia, Sept. 20 (UPI) -- Political differences between the United States and Russia should not affect trade between them, Russia's deputy foreign minister said Saturday.

Speaking to American businessmen on the sidelines of an investment forum in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Denisov said trade and diplomatic relations should remain separate, RIA Novosti reported.

"We hope the pragmatism and common sense of the current and future U.S. administrations will prevail, and we will continue cooperation in all areas," he said.

Denisov added that ties with the United States have been "among Russia's major priorities irrespective of the political weather."

Relations between the United States and Russia have remained strained since last month, when Russian troops two maverick states within the Republic of Georgia.

Since the military incursion, Washington has said it might jettison a civil nuclear deal with Moscow. Recently, Russia banned poultry imports from 19 U.S. producers, citing their failure to meet sanitary standards. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has said the ban was not politically motivated.