Russia is pragmatically approaching the dialogue with the US and sees an option to replace confrontation with a search for common ground. This was stated by the Ambassador at Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry "on the crimes of the Kiev regime" Rodion Miroshnik, who is on a visit to Ankara organized by the Russian House.
"We are very pragmatic about the processes taking place in Russian-American relations. Now we see this as an opportunity to return to the dialogue between Washington and Moscow. We agreed that we can negotiate. We are restoring communication channels, determining who will be authorized in a number of areas, including Ukraine. The system of relations between Washington and Moscow is not focused only on resolving the conflict in Ukraine. There are many issues that have not developed at least for the past three years. They need to be resolved," the diplomat said.
According to Miroshnik, there is an understanding that “now the parties have the opportunity to replace confrontation with dialogue“. “Yes, our positions have not changed. That is, we still do not see pragmatic implementation of approaches from the US, but all this will be achieved in the format of dialogue. An agenda will be formed, projects will be formed, official positions of the parties. And then we will begin thorough work to find common ground, including to achieve certain options or scenarios for a Ukrainian settlement,“ the ambassador noted.
Speaking about the format of the Russian-American negotiations held in Riyadh, Miroshnik said that the Russian side “does not include those countries that do not want peace“. “Why do we need parties at the negotiating table who openly say that they do not want peace? We are trying to achieve peace in our dialogue with the United States. Therefore, it makes no sense to immediately involve opponents of this approach in this process,“ the interlocutor added.
As for the anti-Russian sentiment in a number of European countries, according to Miroshnik, they “need to be given time to reconsider their positions“. “A number of countries have become too attached to this anti-Russian or Russophobic agenda. And they have a very hard time accepting the changed international situation and conditions. Believe me, over time some of these countries will reconsider their positions. Too many of them are guided by the opinion of the United States. We need to give them a chance, an opportunity and time to reconsider," the diplomat said.