Negotiations between the US and Russia on bilateral relations will move from Istanbul to Moscow, Reuters and TASS reported, citing a statement by the new Russian ambassador to Washington, Alexander Darchiev, BTA reports.
“The restoration of Russian-American relations is still far away“, said Darchiev, pointing out that the process is being slowed down by the so-called “deep state“ in the US and by anti-Russian “hawks” in Congress.
He confirmed that the next round of talks will take place “in the nearest future“ in Moscow.
„Moscow is open to serious joint work on resolving the situation in Ukraine, including eliminating the root causes of the conflict, as well as on other key topics on the bilateral agenda“, the diplomat added. According to him, the choice between confrontation and pragmatic cooperation depends on the United States.
Darchiev stressed that Russia has always been ready for an open and honest dialogue based on equality, reciprocity and mutual respect for national interests.
„After the collapse in bilateral relations caused by the previous American administration, which openly declared its goal of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia, the stated intention of the new White House team to restore interstate relations gives some hope“, Darchiev also said.
He pointed to the fact that Washington is no longer „avoiding“ dialogue, preferring pragmatic negotiations to political declarations. According to him, this does not mean quick results, given the differences on key issues, but it still shows a direction for development.
„The positive momentum also comes from the four phone conversations between the presidents of Russia and the United States after the change of administration in Washington“, the ambassador noted.
Darchiev also announced that Moscow expects talks with the United States to resume direct flights between the two countries soon.
The conflict in Ukraine has led to the most serious confrontation between Russia and the West since the Cold War. Senior diplomats in Moscow and Washington admit that relations have never been in a worse state.
The administration of President Donald Trump has described the conflict in Ukraine as a proxy war between the United States and Russia. Trump himself has repeatedly expressed concerns that the conflict could escalate into a global war, Reuters recalls.