The Russian government would like to see more active cooperation with the U.S. Congress to facilitate trade between the two countries, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Friday.

"We are ready to work more intensively with Congressmen and discuss what is happening in our country and what is happening in your economy," he said during a meeting with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

He said Russian companies operating in the United States needed signals from U.S. authorities that they were welcome.

"A number of companies are under sanctions initiated by your department," he told Clinton, referring in particular to steelmaker Severstal and metals producer Norilsk Nickel.

"They need support. They need signals that they are welcome," Putin said.

Clinton said she was aware of those problems and said it was important to work together to overcome them and move forward.

NOVO-OGARYOVO (Moscow Region), March 19 (RIA Novosti)