Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated President Barack Obama on Independence Day on Saturday, and expressed confidence that Russia and the US could work together to find solutions to international problems.  The Kremlin said Putin noted in a telegram to Obama that despite the differences between the two countries, their relations remain important for global stability and security.  Also on Saturday, the leading Democratic contender to replace Obama in the White House, Hillary Clinton, said the US had to be “much smarter” about how it deals with Putin.  “I’ve dealt with him,” the former secretary of state said. “I know him. He’s not an easy man.”  Tensions remain high over Russian influence and involvement in Ukraine, where fighting between government forces and pro-Russia rebels continues despite a ceasefire. A truce was signed in February. Last year, Russia annexed Crimea after similar fighting.  On Wednesday, a Pentagon report identified Russia, with China, as a major military threat to US interests.  Russia has “repeatedly demonstrated that it does not respect the sovereignty of its neighbours and it is willing to use force to achieve its goals”, the 2015 National Military Strategy said.  Related: Russia and China pose largest security threats, says US military report  “Russia’s military actions are undermining regional security directly and through proxy forces.”  The Kremlin said that in his telegram Putin “expressed confidence that by building a dialogue based on the principles of equality and mutual respect for each other’s interests, Russia and the United States are able to find solutions to the most complex international problems and effectively counter global threats and challenges”.  Clinton was campaigning in Glen, New Hampshire, on Saturday. She said: “I think the world holds far more opportunities than threats and dangers to the US, but I think you have to confront the fact that there are threats and dangers and you have to deal with them, whether it’s Putin being aggressive, pushing the boundaries of Russia …  “That’s a problem for us, because we have a solemn obligation under Nato to protect our fellow Nato members. Ukraine is not a Nato member. But if Ukraine had been a Nato member when the Crimea was annexed, that would have caused us to have to respond. We don’t want to get to that.  “That’s why we have to be much smarter in how we deal with Putin and how we deal with his ambitions. I’ve dealt with him. I know him. He’s not an easy man … but I don’t think there is any substitute other than constant engagement.”  The 4 July greeting from Putin to Obama followed a telephone call from the Russian leader to the US president on 25 June, which was the first time they had spoken since February.
Despite differences, Kremlin says working with Obama remains important for global stability and Clinton weighs in – the US has to be ‘smarter’