MOSCOW, June 23. /TASS/. Russia observes “signs of a shift” in the US position on the understandings reached in Anchorage, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told reporters on the sidelines of the Primakov Readings international scientific and expert forum.
He also noted that the dialogue between Russia and the US on Ukraine has not been interrupted.
TASS has compiled the senior Russian diplomat’s key statements.
‘Signs of shift’ in US position
– Russia has observed “signs of a shift” in the US position on the understandings reached in Anchorage: “I can confirm that recently we have observed signs of a shift in the US position away from the understandings reached in Anchorage.”
– Russia remains committed to the understandings reached between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump in Alaska: “Our position has not changed. We adhere to the well-known line, which is based precisely on the understandings reached by Putin and Trump nearly a year ago in Alaska.”
– The United States is moving away from the basic understandings reached in Anchorage and is aligning with the anti-Russian policies of its allies in Europe: “We see the the US administration doing an about-face right now, namely, a certain departure from the basic understandings that were reached by the Russian and US presidents almost a year ago in Anchorage. And a certain convergence of Washington’s line with the most rabid anti-Russian policies pursued by the same closest US allies in Europe.”
Dialogue with US on Ukraine
– The dialogue between Russia and the US on Ukraine has not been interrupted: “The dialogue with the Americans continues.”
– Russia appreciates the efforts of the Trump administration to find ways to resolve the security crisis in the Euro-Atlantic region, which is centered around the situation in Ukraine: “We are engaged in dialogue with the Americans. We appreciate the efforts that the Trump administration has made in the recent period since Anchorage and, we hope, will continue to make to find a reasonable solution to the security crisis in the Euro-Atlantic region, with Ukraine at the center.”
– Russia does not see the US administration shifting its focus to the Ukrainian settlement: “I don’t really understand how they’re switching to Ukraine. Of course, we’re recording all of President Trump’s statements and analyzing them, as well as the statements of other representatives of the US administration. I’m sorry to disappoint you, but we see the opposite.”
– Russia hopes that the US will continue to try to find a solution to the conflict surrounding Ukraine.
Middle East
– Russia is ready, to the extent possible, to assist Iran with practical measures to reach an agreement with the US: “We wish our Iranian partners success in reaching this agreement. And, as before, we are ready, to the best of our ability, to contribute to this effort in any way we can, including by providing certain practical measures of assistance if necessary.”
– Moscow is in private dialogue with Tehran on all issues and is aware of what’s going on in negotiations with Washington: “We are in constant contact with the Iranians. It would not be an exaggeration to say that nothing that has been achieved has come as a surprise to us. We are engaged in a dialogue with them on all issues, and we will continue to do so.”
Dialogue with the United States on strategic stability
– There is no dialogue between Russia and the United States on strategic stability: “If you are talking about strategic stability as a topic, there is no such dialogue.”
– The US needs to shift its position for dialogue to progress: “While we do not shy away from the realization that the topic [of strategic stability] is important, and recognizing the importance of strategic stability, especially in the current turbulent world, we nevertheless state that for a productive, hopefully, discussion of related issues in the future, certain conditions are required. These conditions include, first of all, visible improvements in the US policy towards Russia. There have been no such improvements.”
– However, Russia has received certain signals from the US about the possibility of discussing some aspects related to strategic stability: “Not necessarily in a multilateral format, but in a bilateral format with us, as I understand it, the US side is also probably open to such ideas.”
Western policy on Ukraine
– The path taken by European bureaucrats on Ukraine is dangerous primarily for the residents of the EU itself: “Of course, the role of the European bureaucracy and the functionaries of the European Commission in this process is deeply destructive and dangerous, particularly for the population of the EU member states.”
– Russia sees a general trend towards escalation in the West in the situation around Ukraine: “We see a general trend, and this trend is escalatory, which cannot but cause concern. There should be no doubt about our determination to achieve the goals of the special military operation and protect everything that needs to be protected by the means at our disposal. We have repeatedly stated this. We will continue to do so. We hope that this message is taken seriously in places where attempts are being made to test our patience and strength.”
– The West should be more humble and stop trying to dictate its conditions to sovereign countries: “A call to those who have imagined themselves to be the masters of the fate of modern civilization to be more modest in their desire to subjugate all others to their will, especially those countries that pursue a sovereign policy. Russia is among them.”
The behavior of nuclear countries
– The behavior of Britain and France, which possess nuclear weapons, is destructive and dangerous for European stability: “It is clear to us that the global situation and the behavior of America’s closest allies, including those with nuclear weapons, such as London and Paris, are deeply destructive. It is dangerous for European and international security.”
Russian assets
– The West’s use of frozen Russian assets will be a direct robbery, and Moscow will respond: “Any use of Russian assets for purposes that are not coordinated with the Russian Federation is a direct robbery. This is why, this is categorically unacceptable, and we will respond accordingly to such encroachments.”
