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Moscow concerned over no breakthrough in US administration’s relations with Russia

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov noted that under the previous US administration bilateral relations hit their lowest point
White House in Washington AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster
White House in Washington
© AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

PSKOV, May 30. /TASS/. Moscow is concerned as no serious breakthrough has been seen in Russian-US relations under Donald Trump’s administration, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said during the Fort Ross Dialogue forum on Tuesday.

The diplomat noted that under the previous US administration bilateral relations hit their lowest point. "But the new time period, contacts and cooperation with Trump’s administration saw no serious breakthrough. We are concerned about this," Ryabkov said.

"We are ready to do our bit to revitalize bilateral relations," the high-ranking diplomat said. "Certainly, a lot depends here on the line that the US side will take in relations with us."

The Fort Ross Dialogue forum is held for the first time in the Russian cities of Pskov and Izborsk on May 29-30. Russian and US politicians, cultural workers and experts attend the event to discuss the ways to boost cooperation and overcome differences between the two countries.

Russia wants to change the negative trend 

Moscow wants to change the negative trend in relations with Washington and will work in this direction, according to Ryabkov.

"We want to change the negative trend in politics and economy. We will work in this direction," Ryabkov stressed.

"It is important to get rid of all artificial things complicating cooperation and to remove numerous irritants in bilateral ties," the high-ranking diplomat said.

Ryabkov noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated many times that Moscow is open for cooperation in political and other areas, but "this should be done based on principles of justice and taking into account mutual interests," he said.

'Moscow did nothing to meddle in US domestic policy'

Moscow has never done anything which could be considered as an attempt to influence Washington’s domestic policy, Ryabkov said.

"We could never even think about interfering into the Unites States’ domestic affairs," he said. "We never did anything that could be considered as an attempt to influence domestic processes in the United States," Ryabkov pointed out. "I am sure that many of you understand it perfectly well what could happen and what could not," he added.

"We realize that the new (US) administration has been trying to clarify its foreign policy priorities in a very difficult situation as it is facing a serious pressure from its opponents," the Russian diplomat said.

According to Ryabkov, attempts by some members of the US establishment to use the Russian factor in connection with domestic policy cause significant concern. "This is a point of concern that still remains," Ryabkov noted.