Russia urges US to act on diplomatic relations, ready for meaningful negotiations

Russia is waiting for the US to take the first step towards restoring dialogue, which was severed following the onset of Russia's "special military operation."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made the statement during an interview with both Russian and international media, emphasizing that US President-elect Donald Trump’s team has shown interest in resuming talks, Caliber.Az reports via TASS.

"We certainly hear signals coming from the Trump team that they are interested in resuming dialogue, and this is absolutely reasonable and normal. If the signals from the new team in Washington are serious about restoring the dialogue, which was interrupted by Washington after the start of the special military operation, of course, we will respond to them," Lavrov explained. "The dialogue was interrupted by the Americans, so they should make the first step."

Lavrov also noted that Moscow is waiting for a formal statement from the Trump administration regarding its policy toward Russia.

"If our legitimate interests are taken into account in Washington, the dialogue will certainly not be useless, but productive. If our interests are not taken into account, everything will remain as it is," he added.

The foreign minister emphasized the importance of dialogue, even in times of hostile relations, highlighting that diplomacy should continue, especially when there is a need to communicate messages. "Even during wars, diplomats communicate," he said.

Russia also hopes the incoming US administration will engage with the underlying causes of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Lavrov reiterated Russia’s position, stating that Moscow is ready for discussions aimed at resolving the crisis.

"I very much hope that Mr. Trump's administration, including Mr. Kellogg, will delve into the root causes of the conflict. We are always ready for consultations, ready once again if someone does not understand our repeatedly and extremely clearly stated position, to confirm: we are open to any negotiations if the negotiations will be in essence, about the root causes and principles that President Putin said in June this year," Lavrov said.

He also responded to recent comments by Trump’s appointed special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, who had called the Minsk agreements a "failed attempt" at resolution. Lavrov countered that the Minsk agreements were not merely an attempt, but a formal decision by the UN Security Council, which was "trampled on."

"Perhaps Mr. Kellogg needs to delve deeper into this. The Minsk agreements were not an attempt, it was a decision of the UN Security Council that was trampled on," Lavrov emphasized.

By Tamilla Hasanova