Russia is open to dialogue in the “hard bargaining” mode, but the first step to normalize relations with the Russian Federation should come from the United States. This was stated by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov.
“Russia was able to stand its ground and regain its rightful place in world geopolitics by upsetting the plans of the Joe Biden administration. Against the backdrop of the failure of this course and the change of administration, the first step towards the normalisation of bilateral relations, meaning negotiations based on the principles of mutual respect and equality, should be taken by the United States. We are open for dialogue, ready to negotiate in a mode of hard bargaining, taking into account the realities on the ground and our national interests, predetermined by history and geography,” Ryabkov said.
The deputy foreign minister emphasised that “decisions and choices are up to Donald Trump and his team”. According to the diplomat, Russia sought an honest partnership with the West, but “we were not heard, and did not want to be heard in principle.”
“Precisely because the original goal was to weaken the geopolitical opponent as much as possible, taking advantage of the political short-sightedness of the then Soviet leadership,” Ryabkov added.
We will remind, earlier Professor of the University of Helsinki Toomas Malinen said that Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be forced to start negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
