MOSCOW, November 17. /TASS/. Russia does not know when the US Senate will be able to approve Lynne Tracy as the country's new ambassador to Russia, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Ryabkov said in an interview with RTVI.
"We agreed to the appointment of a new American ambassador to Moscow, a well-known diplomat, Ms. Tracy, she worked with us. We do not know when there may be a hearing in the US Senate on her confirmation," he said.
Ryabkov specified that before such hearings take place in the US Senate, "there has to be a second round of senatorial elections in Georgia, then the Senate convenes for the inaugural session, and then they will draw up the appropriate work schedules."
"I do not undertake to predict the timing," the Deputy Foreign Minister added.
Ryabkov also drew attention to the fact that communication between Moscow and Washington continues and Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov actively interacts with colleagues in American institutions.
"As for communication channels, our ambassador Anatoly Antonov is very active, he is in contact with colleagues in various US structures, including colleagues in the State Department, he is very active in the media. I want to say that telephone calls between Moscow and Washington periodically take place at the appropriate levels," the diplomat noted.
"We exchange notes, conduct other forms of correspondence, that is, we do not feel that there is a lack of communication."
According to the Deputy Foreign Minister, once "the American machine for approving appointees works," Russia will get a professional partner with whom it will be possible to continue working with in Moscow.