Ryabkov says US responsible in normalizing relations with Russian Federation

The first step to normalize relations with Russia should be taken by the United States. Moscow is open to dialog in a "hard bargaining" mode. This was stated by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov on Wednesday, February 5.

Ryabkov emphasized that "decisions and choices are up to American President Donald Trump and his team."

"Russia was able to stand its ground and regain its rightful place in world geopolitics, upsetting the plans of the Joe Biden administration <...> Against the background of the failure of this course and the change of administration, the first step to normalize bilateral relations, meaning negotiations based on the principles of mutual respect and equality, should be made by the United States," the diplomat was quoted as saying by the Russian Foreign Ministry website.

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Earlier, on January 27, Ryabkov noted that Russia remains open for contacts and meetings with representatives of the United States. The diplomat also said that the Russian Federation itself has not initiated contacts with the new administration of the White House - the team of US President Donald Trump.

Before that, on January 20, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Russia has not yet received the preliminary consent of the United States (aggreeman) for the appointment of its new ambassador in Washington.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on December 25, 2024, that the candidacy of the new Russian ambassador to the United States had received approval in Washington. The date of the diplomat's departure was planned taking into account the inauguration of the new head of state on January 20, 2025.

Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov finished his work in this post in October last year. In December, Moscow sent a request to the U.S. side for preliminary approval of the candidacy of a new ambassador. According to media reports, the matter may concern the director of the North America Department of the Foreign Ministry, Alexander Darkhiev; the ministry did not comment on this information.