Russian Deputy Foreign Minister sees possibility of ‘downgrading diplomatic ties with US’

Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov
Photo: TASS

Moscow may lower the level of diplomatic relations with Washington if certain scenarios unfold, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told TASS in an interview.

In his words, Russia has never been the first to make such moves in its relations with the United States or other NATO countries.

"But, in my opinion, [such steps are] quite possible if the West chooses the path of escalation," the diplomat said, adding that developments that will make the downgrade of diplomatic relations possible "do not necessarily imply increased support to Kiev," but, for example, measures "related to our assets or other moves in the economic domain."

The diplomat, however, added that he was not ready to theorize on what the exact "trigger" for this situation could be.

"I’m not ready to theorize on the subject," he said. "If the situation continues to deteriorate, it will become a subject of specific analysis and decision-making at the level of political leaders.".

Geopolitical projects with NATO are impossible now; Moscow does not trust the alliance and experiences emotional repulsion, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told TASS.

"Geopolitical designs of any kind with NATO are impossible at all. NATO is not a negotiation-capable counterpart, it is a gang, which we not only do not feel a bit of trust in, but which makes us feel political and, I would say, even emotional repulsion," the diplomat said.

He underscored that Russia will work with those "who are ready to negotiate on an equal basis."

"The greater Eurasian space, the concepts of Eurasian security is what comes into spotlight of architectural projects in terms of politics and geopolitics. In our understanding, this is what we must focus on first and foremost," the diplomat concluded.

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