Russia wants constructive relations with the US despite disputes over US legislation designed to punish Russian human rights abusers and other difficulties in ties, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday.

Lavrov spoke during an annual news conference after a year during which relations between the former Cold War foes have deteriorated following improvements under Obama's "reset" policy.

A major irritant has been the Magnitsky Act, a law signed by Obama last month that denies visas to Russians accused of human rights violations and freezes their assets in the US.

Russia President Vladimir Putin has responded by signing a law that imposes similar measures on Americans it says have abused the rights of Russians and also bans adoptions of Russian orphans by Americans.

Lavrov called the Magnitsky Act "odious" and also criticized a US judge's recent ruling in a dispute over a collection of Jewish writings held in Russia. He also said the sides remain at odds over US plans for an anti-missile shield in Europe.

Reuters