Despite its chilly ties with Washington, Russia has said it welcomes the idea of anti-terrorism cooperation with the United States.

The Russian Foreign Ministry on Thursday voiced Moscow’s readiness to resume cooperation with Washington in fighting terrorism, according to Russia’s Ria Novosti news agency.

Ilya Rogachev, the director of the ministry’s Department on Issues of New Challenges and Threats, said, “’Weak signals’ are beginning to be heard on renewing contacts. The understanding of no other alternative to cooperate in this ‘hot issue’ is obviously starting to sink in.”

The official, however, said the renewal of anti-terror cooperation depends wholly on the US.

“We told them that everything is in their hands. If you want to contact us, then we haven’t closed the door of dialogue, but expect fair cooperation on a ‘two-way street’ principle, cooperation that would take our interests into consideration as well,” he said.

Relations between the United States and Russia have hit their lowest ebb since the end of the Cold War in 1991, largely due to the crisis in Ukraine.

The US accuses Russia of sending troops into eastern Ukraine in support of the pro-Russia forces, an allegation denied by the Kremlin.

Washington has imposed several rounds of sanctions on Moscow over the Ukrainian crisis.

Moscow, on the other hand, says Washington is responsible for the escalating tensions in Ukraine through sending arms in support of the Ukrainian army.

Earlier this month, the US and Russia sides reopened some security contacts on Syria.

Since late September 2014, the US, along with some of its allies, has purportedly been conducting airstrikes against targets belonging to the Takfiri terrorist group of Daesh inside Syria without any authorization from Damascus or a UN mandate. Many have criticized the airstrikes as inefficient.

Russia is, meanwhile, beefing up its military presence in the Syrian port city of Latakia, a development seen by some as preparation for the deployment of Russian ground forces to war-wrecked country. Damascus has said it would not hesitate to ask for the deployment of Russian forces to Syria if need be.

Moscow has also equipped Damascus with advanced military aircraft and sophisticated military equipment such as targeting equipment and precision-guided missiles.