With U.S.-Russian relations at an all-time low (except, you know, since the Cold War happened), Russian President Vladimir Putin made international headlines today on a friendlier note: he called up Obama and wished him a happy Fourth of July.

During the call, Putin expressed hope for better relations with the U.S. in the future.

"The head of the Russian state expressed hope that ... ties between the two countries will develop successfully on the basis of pragmatism and equality despite difficulties and disagreements," the Kremlin said in a statement.

U.S. sanctions against Russian firms for the Kremlin's recent involvement and military action in Ukraine are still very much active, however. I wouldn't expect fireworks in Moscow any time soon.

Read the full story at the Chicago Tribune.

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