PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKY, December 30. /TASS/. The question on the possibility of holding the talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump should be addressed to Washington, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated in an interview with the Rossiya-1 channel.
"You need to address this question to Washington. Our president and his representatives have stated repeatedly that we are ready for these talks when Washington is ready", Lavrov noted. "Of course, based on equality, mutual respect and consideration of each other’s interests".
According to him, Moscow understands "to what extent America’s foreign policy towards Russia has become prisoner of its domestic strife"/ "It is already considered useful for gaining extra votes to compete over who is going to attack Russia more," the minister stressed. "We cannot do anything in that regard, but we are always ready for equal dialogue with every country, including the USA".
Putin and Trump were set to meet on December 1 during the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, however, the US leader cancelled the meeting at the last moment due to the events in the Kerch Strait.