Confiscation of frozen assets could lead to breakdown in relations with US Russian MFA says

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has said that the confiscation of frozen Russian assets and further military escalation could become a trigger for a possible break in relations with the United States.

He called such forecasts negative, but emphasized that Russia "does not hold on with both hands" to diplomatic relations with the United States.

“Diplomatic relations themselves, of course, are not a totem to be worshipped, they are not a sacred cow to be cherished by everyone. But we will not take the initiative to break them, to tear them up. It is not in our rules to act in such a way, including based on our understanding that Russia and the United States have a central role in maintaining international security and strategic stability," the deputy minister said in an interview with Interfax.

Ryabkov emphasized that the authorities are prepared for any scenario. "And the US should not have the illusion, if they have one, that Russia is holding on to diplomatic relations with this state with both hands," the deputy minister emphasized.