Putin congratulates Trump on independence anniversary: 'We bear responsibility for global security'

Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated the United States on the 250th anniversary of its independence, praising what he described as centuries of cooperation between the two countries.

The congratulatory message, addressed by Putin to US President Donald Trump and published by the Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow, opened: "Dear Mr President, dear Donald."

He added: "The signing of the United States Declaration of Independence was not only the beginning of your state, but also became an important turning point in the history of the world."

Putin noted that Russia, under the tsars, "supported the inhabitants of the North American colonies in their struggle for liberation from British rule."

Putin highlighted what he described as "many glorious chapters" in the history of relations between the two countries spanning 250 years.

He said: "We were allies in two world wars, and together we freed humanity from the horrors of Nazism, then played a vital role in laying the foundations of the modern world order."

He added: "Today, Russia and the United States, as the world's two largest nuclear powers, bear a special responsibility for ensuring security and stability at the global level."

Putin closed his message with a handshake emoji, saying: "I wish you, Donald, and your loved ones good health, wellbeing and success, and I wish happiness and prosperity to all American citizens."