Any potential talks could be held only on equal and mutually acceptable terms, according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov
The administration of US President Donald Trump has expressed interest in re-establishing dialogue with Moscow, according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov. Moscow is open to talks, including on the Ukraine conflict, but the first step towards stabilizing relations should be taken by Washington, he stressed.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Ryabkov reiterated that any negotiations regarding the conflict could be held only on equal and mutually acceptable terms, reflecting the realities on the ground and Russia’s national interests.
“Trump’s team, despite conflicting statements from both him and his people, has at least signaled interest in resuming the dialogue with Russia that was disrupted by the Democrats,” Ryabkov said.
According to the diplomat, Russian-American relations were severely strained under the administration of President Joe Biden, which he accused of adopting a “hybrid warfare strategy” against Moscow. However, he suggested that Trump’s return to the White House could signal a shift in US foreign policy.
Trump has previously stated his intention to swiftly end the Ukraine conflict and has expressed readiness to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The US leader has reportedly tasked his special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, with negotiating a settlement within 100 days.
Reaffirming Russia’s stance, Ryabkov said Moscow sees “at least a small window of opportunity” for improving ties with Washington under the Trump administration. “Whether the US chooses to seize this opportunity is entirely up to them,” the diplomat concluded.
On Saturday, the New York Post released an interview with Trump in which the US leader claimed he had held a phone conversation with Putin. However, the publication did not provide any quotes from the purported call. The Kremlin neither confirmed nor denied whether such a call had taken place. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow and Washington maintain dialogue through various diplomatic channels.
While Trump has not publicly revealed his Ukraine peace plan, it reportedly involves freezing the conflict along the current front line, establishing a demilitarized zone patrolled by European soldiers, and suspending Kiev from joining NATO.
Trump has warned of new sanctions if Moscow refuses an unspecified settlement, but emphasized that he is “not looking to hurt Russia.” His envoy, Kellogg, said last week that more economic pressure could be applied on Moscow.
Ryabkov dismissed any attempts to dictate terms to Moscow, warning that “the language of ultimatums, inflammatory rhetoric, and attempts to portray concessions as generous favors will not work in our dialogue with the US.”
The Russian diplomat argued that the US has effectively become a direct participant in the Ukraine conflict, particularly due to “Washington’s supply of the most modern types of weapons to the Kiev regime,” including long-range missile systems.
Moscow has characterized the hostilities as a Western proxy war against Russia, in which Ukrainians are being used as ‘cannon fodder’. Russian officials argue that Washington escalated tensions to boiling point by disregarding Moscow’s security concerns over NATO’s expansion in Eastern Europe and its growing military cooperation with Ukraine.
Moscow has said it remains open to negotiations but insists that any agreement must include “reliable, legally binding agreements eliminating the root causes of the conflict.”
