Putin was defiant on Ukraine, where he said pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovich had been overthrown in an "anti-constitutional coup" last month. But he stressed what he called "the paramount important of Russian-American relations to ensure stability and security in the world", the Kremlin said.

"These relations should not be sacrificed for individual differences, albeit very important ones, over international problems," Putin said.

He maintained Moscow was not behind the seizure of Crimea, home of Russia's Black Sea Fleet. Russia says the troops without national insignia that have surround Ukrainian bases are "local self-defense units".

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/07/us-ukraine-crisis-idUSBREA1Q1E820140307