Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov: Russia-US relations on brink, nuclear control declines

19:18 10.02.2025 •

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov
Photo: TASS

Relations between Moscow and Washington are teetering on the verge of rupture and control over nuclear weapons is deteriorating, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated at a news conference.

According to Sergey Ryabkov, Washington's attempts to give Moscow demands or to demonstrate the alleged doing "a great favor" in exchange for unacceptable US demands are bound to failure in the dialogue with Russia.

TASS gathered key statements of the Russian senior diplomat.

 

On Russia-US relations

Relations between Moscow and Washington are balancing on the verge of rupture.

The administration of former US President Joe Biden "focused on hybrid warfare, introduced into its documents and imposed on allies in various alliances and configurations the idea of the possibility of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia." As a result, the "antagonistic content" of Russian-US relations intensified and has become "very critical" today.

Washington's attempts to give Moscow demands or to demonstrate the alleged doing "a great favor" in exchange for unacceptable US demands are bound to failure in the dialogue with Russia.

 

On Trump's return to the White House

US President Donald Trump's return to the White House "means a shift" in the US' domestic and foreign policy.

Moscow is not too hopeful about Russia-US relations improving: "In US domestic politics and within the rigid framework of its foreign policy, Russia has been officially labeled as a 'major adversary', as they call us [Russia] officially."

Trump's team has expressed interest in resuming dialogue with Russia, and Moscow is ready for that.

Russia and the United States have not yet agreed on high-level contacts: "For us, the issue of substance remains the most important. That is what we have always put at the forefront."

 

On nuclear weapons and the post-New START Treaty period

The policy pursued by Washington "poses a significant challenge to global nuclear non-proliferation" and control over nuclear weapons is deteriorating.

Russia has not yet seen any manifestations of common sense or political will on the part of the West to overcome the crisis in the arms control system.

The situation around Russia-US dialogue on strategic stability, including the post-New START Treaty period, does not look optimistic.

 

On Ukraine conflict

Russia sees no "alterations in the course Washington has been pursuing in the recent period" on the Ukrainian track.

"It will be necessary to acknowledge the realities on the ground and not ignore the causes" of the crisis that forced Russia to launch its special military operation in Ukraine: "Therefore, variations, half-measures are not the way we are ready to go."

 

About USAID

Washington will not be able to completely abandon such a dominant tool "of projecting its power, promoting its ideology" as the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

 

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