MOSCOW, Dec 4: Russia has received “positive signals” from US president-elect Barack Obama that could open the door to dramatic improvement of Russia-US relations, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.

“If these are not just words and translate into real actions, we will respond in kind and our American partners will immediately feel this,” Putin said during a town-hall style meeting with Russian citizens, broadcast live on state television.“We hope very much there will be positive changes. Right now we are seeing some positive signals,” he said in response to a question about he saw the future of US-Russian ties.

The powerful Russian prime minister, said two issues in particular — Nato enlargement and US missile defence plans — had dogged relations under US President George W. Bush’s administration.

On Nato enlargement, fiercely opposed by Russia, Putin said: “Speaking to people who are very close to the newly elected president and his circle — his assistants — we are hearing that there is no reason to hurry.... There is no reason to damage relations with Russia.” And referring to US missile defence plans pushed hard by the Bush administration, he added: “We are hearing there is a need to re-evaluate the appropriateness of deploying the missile-defence system in Poland and corresponding radars in the Czech Republic.” Thursday’s question-and-answer event continued a tradition that he launched as president.

Putin’s second term in the Kremlin was characterised by a severe deterioration in Russia’s relations with Washington and warnings of a potential new “Cold War” over issues such as missile defence and Nato enlargement.

Responding to questions on bread-and-butter economic concerns, Putin said citizens had to be prepared in the face of current difficulties.

But he insisted Russia was well positioned to weather the global economic crisis. “What can you do in this situation? Can the state help? Yes it can and it will,” Putin said.

However Putin signalled a tough line towards neighbouring Ukraine on a long-standing gas payment issue, saying Russia would reduce gas supplies through Ukraine to Europe if Kiev failed to pay its bills or diverted gas.

“If our partners do not fulfil their agreements, we will reduce deliveries,” Putin said. Moscow would however keep European nations fully informed on such moves, he added.

Speculation has mounted that Putin could be preparing for a come-back as president, especially as lawmakers have sought to rush through parliament constitutional changes extending presidential terms from four to six years.

But he played down speculation on that question Thursday, saying he was happy in his current job.—AFP