MOSCOW, January 21. /TASS/. Moscow hopes that with the coming to power of US President Joseph Biden, a new chapter will begin in the development of Russian-American relations, Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov told Rossiya-24 television channel on Thursday.
"I just returned from the inauguration, listened attentively to Biden's speech, naturally looked for something in relation to foreign policy, primarily Russia. I would like to believe that a new chapter in the development of the United States of America begins today and, of course, that a new chapter in the development of Russian-American relations begins as well. At least, we have repeatedly spoken about this," Antonov said.
Antonov noted that the Russian side got acquainted with the positions of candidates for key posts in the Biden administration. "Yesterday we spent the whole day near the TV sets, listening to the nominees and candidates, we heard a lot of information, various approaches. I can't say that we found a lot of positive in the speeches of candidates for high positions in the US administration," he admitted. "I would say: let's wait a little. It is one thing - promises, public speaking, and another thing - these are real problems, real work that the administration will have to do starting today."
A program for the development of relations
The Russian side has developed a specific program for the development of relations with the United States based on the experience of past interaction with the American administration, Antonov added.
"We have a specific program of action, we have a specific program for the development of relations with the United States of America. My colleagues and I at the [Russian Federation's embassy in Washington DC] and our colleagues from Moscow have carefully analyzed what was done, what did not work out, and what we need do, " Antonov said.
Antonov stressed that Russia and the United States are equally interested in developing relations. "We have a positive program, an energetic and assertive program," he said. "[Depending] on how Russian-American relations develop, will there be a storm, or will it be calm waters in international relations."According to Antonov, the interaction of the two countries is not limited to the topic of extending the Treaty on Measures to Further Reduce and Limit Strategic Offensive Arms (START). In addition, according to Antonov, there are many other common issues, such as countering the coronavirus pandemic, the problem of the development of the Arctic, space exploration, the fight against terrorism, as well as cooperation on climate.
Our team is aimed at meeting with the team of President Biden, talking about specific cases, discarding any propaganda cliches. Namely, thinking about what needs to be done to improve international security, and so that it would be easier for us to address common challenges, "he stressed.
The inauguration ceremony of the 46th President of the United States, Joseph Biden, took place on January 20 on the steps of the Capitol. He took an oath of allegiance to the constitution and the country. Also, the 56-year-old Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, took the oath as well.