Deputy FM Ryabkov: Russia ready for long-term confrontation with US

Russia is ready for a prolonged confrontation with the United States, said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov on October 1.

Ryabkov added that, given the bipartisan consensus in the United States to pursue an anti-Russian agenda, Moscow should not harbour any illusions about a shift in policy, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

“We must be prepared for a lengthy stand-off with this country. We are ready for this in every sense,” he emphasised.

He pointed out that Russia has been sending warnings to the US, urging Washington not to take Russia’s readiness for confrontation lightly.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin does not anticipate any significant changes in NATO’s policy following Mark Rutte’s appointment as Secretary General of the alliance. 

“We expect the North Atlantic Alliance to continue operating in the same manner as it has before. We are familiar with Rutte; the Netherlands has spent many hours at the negotiating table,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said speaking at a briefing.

Peskov added that there were hopes for pragmatic relations, but the Netherlands later took an uncompromising stance.

"Therefore, we do not think anything will fundamentally change in the alliance’s policies”

NATO's new Secretary General Mark Rutte in turn expressed no concerns over the outcome of the upcoming US presidential elections. He indicated his readiness to collaborate with either candidate.

“I have no worries or anxiety about the results of the American elections. I know both candidates well, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump… We’ll see what happens in November,” Rutte remarked.

He further stated that he is prepared to work with either candidate on all matters concerning international security.

By Aghakazim Guliyev