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US not ready for serious conversation with Russia on Ukraine or Middle East — diplomat

In his opinion, Washington still believes that it is located "on an island of freedom and prosperity, which allows them [the Americans] to resolve all problems on their own"

MOSCOW, November 3. /TASS/. At this point, Washington is not ready to engage in a serious conversation with Moscow both on Ukraine and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said on Thursday.

"The Americans are not ready to for a serious conversation with us, be it about Ukraine or the Middle East," the diplomat told Russia’s Channel One.

In his opinion, Washington still believes that it is located "on an island of freedom and prosperity, which allows them [the Americans] to resolve all problems on their own." "But it does not work this way," Antonov added.

He added that he met with US officials to discuss Israel and Palestine a few days ago.

Tensions in the Middle East flared up again on October 7 after militants from the radical Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise incursion into Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip, killing residents of border communities and taking people, including women, children and the elderly, hostage. Hamas described its attack as a response to the aggressive actions of Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City. Israel announced a total blockade of Gaza and launched ground operations in the enclave, also carrying out air strikes on targets in the Strip, as well as on certain areas in Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also taking place in the West Bank.