Lavrov says US-Russia relations "stepping back from the abyss"

Russia and the United States have started to step back from the brink in their relations, a situation exacerbated by the previous U.S. administration, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

Speaking during a government session in the State Duma, Lavrov said Moscow was in favour of continued engagement with Washington to foster mutual understanding, Caliber.Az reports, referencing Russian media.

“There will always be problems. But the key is to meet, listen, and hear each other,” Lavrov said.

“Decisions must be realistic in relation to the partners they affect. We have started to move away from the edge of the abyss, where our relations were pushed by the Biden administration, but these are only the first steps. The atmosphere is positive, and the intentions are right. We will see how the situation develops and what steps are taken next.”

Lavrov also noted that U.S. representatives at a recent meeting in Saudi Arabia had shown interest in removing “artificial obstacles” to potentially lucrative and mutually beneficial projects with Russia.

“First and foremost, in the economy, but also in resuming dialogue on foreign policy, international affairs, and conflicts,” he said. “We welcome this.”

He further highlighted that U.S. President Donald Trump was the only Western leader to have “publicly and loudly” acknowledged that an aggressive push to bring Ukraine into NATO under the previous U.S. administration was a root cause of the conflict.

“No Western leader has ever said this before, but he has voiced this idea several times,” Lavrov said. “This is already a signal that he understands our position.”

Moreover, Lavrov said that, Putin told Trump in a recent call that Moscow seeks a lasting peace by addressing the conflict's root causes, not a ceasefire allowing Ukraine to rearm.

By Aghakazim Guliyev