Moscow: Working-level exchanges with Washington continue

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov confirmed on October 9 that Moscow and Washington are continuing to exchange signals at the working level.

“The pause [in contacts between Russia and the United States] actually arose after the contact between [Russian Foreign Minister] Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on September 25 in New York. I repeat the words of Marco Rubio on September 25 in New York — there is an exchange of signals at the working level,” Ryabkov told reporters.

At the same time, Ryabkov clarified that by “contacts,” the Russian side refers to “meetings that go on an agreed agenda as part of delegations.”

He noted that such formal contacts are currently not taking place, adding: “This is noted by us as a sign that we have in front of us issues that are quite complicated and require some homework.”

Addressing market operators, Ryabkov said his statements should not be interpreted as a signal of heightened geopolitical risk.

“Geopolitical risks are no greater now than they were before. They are at a plateau. Therefore, market operators should return to the stock exchange and do what they were doing when Moscow Exchange indices were growing,” he concluded.

By Tamilla Hasanova