Media: Russian lawmakers held discreet talks with US congress members

Russian lawmakers maintained discreet communication with their US counterparts even during periods of heightened tension between Moscow and Washington, according to Leonid Slutsky, head of the State Duma’s International Affairs Committee.

Speaking to TASS, Slutsky said contacts with members of the US House of Representatives and Senate were never fully severed, but were kept out of the public eye due to the political climate. He said Russian deputies chose not to publicise these exchanges.

Slutsky added that some US lawmakers have expressed interest in developing joint formats for engagement with Russian counterparts and said he would welcome the resumption of such contacts in the near future.

By Sabina Mammadli