WASHINGTON, September 11. /TASS/. Russia stays ready to revive the bilateral dialogue on counterterrorism with the United States, which was carried out under the auspices of the two countries’ foreign ministries in 2018-2019, Russia’s Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said in a post published on the Russian embassy’s Facebook page on Saturday to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

According to the Russian diplomat, the history of the Russian-US relationship has seen numerous examples where effective interaction between intelligence agencies helped thwart major attacks.

"In this regard, we are grateful to our American colleagues for the valuable information that was instrumental in deterring terrorist attacks in St. Petersburg in 2017 and 2019," Antonov recalled.

"We hope that such contacts will only grow stronger, and over time will be complemented by useful discussions within the framework of the bilateral dialogue on counterterrorism, which was carried out under the auspices of the foreign ministries in 2018-2019," he said.

"The Russian Side is ready to revive the mentioned format," the Russian ambassador added. "The Russian Side is ready to revive the mentioned format. This is our natural priority. We should put aside all contradictions and disputes and cooperate for the benefit of security and prosperity of not just Russia and the United States, but all of humanity. The status of the UN Security Council permanent members makes it incumbent on our countries."

The Russian ambassador emphasized that the anniversary of 9/11 attacks is "the day of grief for all of us."

"Russia has always supported America in its hour of need. [Russian] President Vladimir Putin was the first head of state to call [US] President George W. Bush following those appalling attacks and express solidarity with the people of the United States," Antonov said.

"Today, as before, Russia grieves together with the United States and shares the pain of those who lost their relatives and beloved ones. We will never forget those bloody events in New York," the ambassador stressed adding, "The memory of the victims will always remain in our hearts."

On September 11, 2001, 19 terrorists from the terrorist group al-Qaeda (banned in Russia) hijacked four passenger planes in the United States. They crashed two of the planes into New York’s tallest buildings at that time, the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. The third plane was flown into the Pentagon near Washington. The fourth was also bound for the US capital, but crashed outside Shanksville in Pennsylvania. The attacks claimed the lives of 2,997 individuals, who were from 90 countries, and left more than 6,000 others injured.

On February 14, 2003, Russia’s Supreme Court handed down a ruling declaring al-Qaeda to be a terrorist organization, which is outlawed in Russia.